Habits of excellence

I believe the most dangerous threats to wellbeing and world peace are not just issues like

climate change, mass migration due to failed governments and economics, income disparities,

ideological paralysis and misguided loyalties, gun violence, and pandemics.

Underlying these threats is a breakdown in connection. In an increasingly digital age, we have

lost a primary means of staying informed about ourselves, the environment, our values and

right action. A bridge of trust and good communication skills are foundational for healthy social

bonding and solving problems collaboratively. This kind of connecting is the backbone for

establishing listening and beneficial change.

Dysfunctional patterns of communication show up in broken marriages, corrupt business

practices, toxic leadership and avoidable wars, where people have become opponents;

adversaries fighting the other and unwilling to budge.

We are at a point in history where people around the globe are demanding listening and

addressing injustice. It means rehabilitating thinking and behavior in order to reduce the

incidence of trauma and increase community wellbeing and safety.

Society is made up of relationships and people operating within different family systems.

It’s important to come together, despite various individual beliefs, and discover

what unites, rather than divides, connection and avoid self-destructive behaviors.

Optimal functioning requires living in one’s center and having necessary life skills. Personal

values like kindness and collaboration activate meeting needs; for example, decent shelter, nutritious

food, warmth, employment in a job and making enough money.

Like a flock of geese in the air, teamwork supports what benefits the many. Different birds

rotate as they fly to fill in as leader, while the rest save energy by staying in a V formation. They,

remain attentive to the nuances of each other’s movements and vocal communications for

coordinating their flight pattern and knowing when is the right moment to change position.

Healthy societies also have a hierarchy and structure, with community involvement,

transparency, and clear sub structures. If this harmony is disrupted because of wounds from

past unresolved trauma fueling misguided behavior, it impairs group cohesion.

Humans have the option to repair what’s broken physically, mentally and emotionally. They can

reshape individual boundaries and take action to cultivate a sense of inner peace, outer

security, health, happiness and returning to a holistic self.

We are all part of a social circle of connection and understanding, be it dialoguing with oneself,

immediate family members or within the local or international community. There is a

opportunity to get “you” right so you can get “them” right and become untied as a positive

force for change.

Enroll in a 15-week class led by Marie Retherford, to assist you in your life's journey.