Social-phone-ic

I don’t think we often realize how important social connections are to our well-being. Face-to-face conversations and human touch can heal in more powerful ways than we can imagine. Technological connections are wonderful and help us to stay connected to people we don’t have the opportunity to be face-to-face with.

Yesterday, we attended the wedding of one of our neighborhood “family” friends. I call them that, because we are not related by blood, but have established true friendships with them. I consider them family by choice. The wedding was held at a nearby historic home. Small and intimate, beautifully simple with an Irish theme. I think it was the best wedding I have ever attended.

Most importantly, the sense of family and friendship bound the event together will love and caring. Stories and laughter, sharing food and plenty of drink, and music that got people moving their feet. Many of the guests were reluctant to leave the venue, even though the celebration was to continue at our neighborhood pub, where the groom is a co-owner. At the pub, the guests expanded to the regular crowd, faces familiar to me from the neighborhood. An atmosphere of joy in celebrating a new bond.

This feeling sticks with me today, a full heart and sense of belonging. I know that this creates powerful energy that radiates outward to impact many, including those I connected with. It is healing energy, in its simplest form.

I wonder about those who choose to live alone and without social connection, who are often referred to as social-phobics. I know that this has its roots in fear of being hurt. Life comes with a certain amount of risk-taking, which includes having a vulnerable heart. It takes courage, but most importantly hope, to take another chance at love and friendship. Like with many things, that what we fear the most is the greatest thing that heals us.

I hope that the energy swirling outward yesterday touched the hearts of many, enough that they reached out to a friend, stranger or whomever and perhaps opened their heart enough to make a connection. Even if it starts by swiping your phone.