What relationships are the most important to you? Are they are family, friends, associates? What about the relationship with yourself? This, is in fact, the most important because it determines the quality of your other relationships? And wouldn't this be decided by your code of ethics with spirituality? This is also a relationship or lack of, maybe. Although relationships don't define who we are, they help give us a reference point for the truth of who we are. Everytime I relate with someone, it changes who I am in some sense, but how?

The word, "relationship" itself in etymology comes from a Latin derivative meaning "a bringing back, report, or connection." In English 17th century, its orgination is "the way in which two or more people or things are connected." What are we bringing back? Well, I bring back something in communicating with you and vice versa, you communicate something to me. I bring my spirit, my energy, my history, my persective, my words, love, respect and I could think of the negative things too but nevertheless it is a transactional one. How this affects the other person is where the connection comes in. Can I connect with you and the elements you bring? Can I sit in a space and be comfortable with you? What makes me uncomfortable? And is comfort what we are seeking? If etymology suggest the way in which two or more people are connected, then we are all connected by hook or crook when it comes to energy. We are all connected somehow but what causes the disconnect and can we ever really get away from it?

On a planet of over a 8.29 billion people, we can't really stop having relationships because they are part of our everyday life unless you live on an a deserted island. So how do you connect with others? Do you avoid 'people-ing?" Is there something that makes you isolate or have social anxieties or fears? Are you extroverted? Yes, there are those of us who do like people! Do we allow our experiences to shape what we feel about others and ourselves? Whether we want to or not, relationships serve a purpose. They allow us to see ourselves differently due to another person's perspective, experiences, beliefs, energy, joy, etc., and what we do with that information is huge! I would challenge you to think about what you do with the information people bring. Can you relate? Is this relationally relevant? Can you sit with uncomfortable emotions? Can you identify your emotions?

Community is so important and it is vital to the survival of our planet. In the next blog, we will explore communication and the etymology of this word and do a deep dive on it origin, roots, and what it means to do so.