Connected Culture

We have all heard it. Most of us have said it. But it bears repeating until the truth gets so deep in our souls that we can’t ignore it.

In an age where technology has us more connected than ever, how is it that we see such an increase in division among us?

An unheard-of number of people consider a separate unheard-of number of people enemies.

Why?

They think differently. Believe differently.

This has evidently become grounds for assumptions, judgments, and character assassination.

Could it be that the ability to talk through hard conversations has been replaced with screen talk that requires no uncomfortable eye contact or physical presence?

It has become easier to fire off a text, email, or social media post that favors “us” and demonizes “them”.

In short, we have dehumanized those who disagree with our perspectives on what we deem important by not having to see or talk to them to get our point heard.

Lack of eye contact and physical presence create environments where issues are prioritized over people, disagreements are treated as the enemy, and honest, vulnerable, courageous, authentic conversations risk extinction.

If you want to connect to the people around you in ways that are genuine, honest, and emotionally safe, it is going to take a change of ways.

Last month I co-sponsored an event where people of different perspectives politically, religiously, etc… came together for some table talk and some one-on-one talks that were guided by pre-arranged topics my co-host and I chose. Without exception, everyone left there surprised that they had so much more in common than they did different.

Eye contact. Listening to others’ stories. Empathizing. Physical presence. If we toss those treasures aside, we risk losing the joy, trust, and gratitude that is cultivated when we choose to challenge our comfort. Learning other’s stories that look nothing like ours increases our awareness of both the joys and heartaches we would not otherwise know.

Why are we so afraid to change? To grow?

Everything we do is either love-based or fear-based.
Chaos. Anger. Depression. Anxiety. All of those stem from fear of something.
Peace. Joy. Gratitude. Laughter. Love is the common denominator there.

This happens in every area of our lives. Not just our personal lives. The workplace is not exempt. We don’t get to leave our hearts at home. They go with us wherever we go. And both fear and love reside in the heart more prominently than anything else.

Building a culture of connection in a separated world could feel like a monstrous feat. But when we dial it back to the simplicity of joy, trust, gratitude, and peace… all expressions of love in some form… then we can create experiences where we ourselves, as well as those around us, transform by that simple power.

Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” We often roll our eyes at such a statement because life can feel so hard and heavy. But what if we allowed that heaviness to speak to us? What if it slowed us down long enough to realize that if life isn’t easy and light (which doesn’t always equate to our definition of “good”) perhaps we are living by a yoke not intended for us.

Bad things will happen. And good will still be there.
May we be a people who become better through the pain. Better through the change, the stretching, and the growing.

In a world that trains people toward cynicism, self-protection, and scarcity, may we invoke a quiet revolution of love, joy, trust, and gratitude.

May we move toward others, instead of away.

And may we be more generous.
More resilient.
More compassionate.
Better friends.

Where do you see opportunity to create a more Connected Culture?

Brenda is a believer in impossible possibilities. In brokenness becoming beautiful. In justice and mercy and honor and power – with love perfecting them all. She is a wife, mom, mimi, daughter, and friend who also enjoys speaking, writing, and coaching.