With Christmas just around the corner, the idea of having my loved ones together and connecting is at the forefront of my mind.
Right now my world's are seriously colliding - and I love it!
But what about those not within our inner circles? Or those who have drifted out of our lives for one reason or another? Maybe it is time to break down those barriers and reach out.
We live such highly connected lives, yet we still suffer from high levels of anxiety, loneliness and social isolation.
Going wide
I was recently introduced to the idea of going wide. The late Steve Jobs was used as a reference point here, whereby he would 'drop-in' to calligraphy classes after dropping out of his degree. The knowledge Jobs gained came in handy down the track, namely when typefaces were born!
This concept also works with people as much as it does with expanding one's mind creatively. Opening up your inner circles introduces you (and your mates) to people outside your everyday life, people who have diverse backgrounds, ways of thinking and values. It's a win, win.
I find the more my social circle opens, the more I see how inter-connected we really are and that six degrees of separation is no myth.
Having a collective state of mind is not hard, it may be as simple as inviting a new person along to your usual breakfast catch up, having a party and mixing all of your friends together, inviting people along to things that are you consider an acquaintance...that simple act could change your status friends.
You can never have too many friends at the end of the day right?
