Social Networking

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We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.

Thích Nhất Hạnh / Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, peace activist / 1926–present

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Solitude can be a wonderful thing. At times, we need it to relax, clear our thoughts, or focus with limited distraction, for example. Nevertheless, we’re social creatures, and we’ll often need to interact with others, so it’s imperative that we communicate with thoughtfulness in order to excel. We’re all in this world together, and over time, countless connections are established between individuals. As such, word gets around, and the seeds of communication that you plant will come to fruition sooner or later. Focus on negativity, and you will poison yourself and others. On the other hand, if you focus on the positive, treat people with respect, and build relationships as you go, then good things will naturally result for you and others. Such practices can dramatically enhance your quality of life.

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Often, opportunities arise based on who you know as opposed to what you know, so with that in mind, it’s important to cultivate your relationships with others. If you find someone you don’t get along with for whatever reason, then your best bet is to practice kindness and understanding. Don’t dwell on the conflict, and don’t ignore your principles to win him or her over. Give what you can and remain positive, but if you can’t see eye to eye, then agree to disagree, and move on. Maintain a mentality of building up others when you can because the energy you put into helping people will have a ripple effect that will influence others. Eventually, that will reflect back on to you given the law of attraction. Support your family, friends, and coworkers, and work to build bridges as opposed to roadblocks. Such a mind-set fosters giving and sharing, which can make life much more fulfilling.

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It’s important to build a social network, but remember to leverage it in times of trouble too. We are socially oriented by nature, and when dealing with stress, it can help to speak with a supportive friend, family member, or counselor. Sometimes it’s useful simply to talk through a problem with another. Someone else can often provide objective feedback or possible solutions to a problem that you may have trouble resolving given your proximity to the situation. If you have serious issues that seem too overwhelming to manage alone and no one to turn to at the moment, then counseling is another option to consider. The key is to find someone you trust when you have a dilemma that you can’t seem to deal with alone. Speak with that person to sort out your thoughts, and identify an appropriate course of action. In the same respect, you can also turn to the various works of literature available specific to coping with your current situation. Although that’s one-way communication that takes time to read and digest, books or articles that speak to a challenge you currently face can also serve as valuable resources.

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