“The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.”
– Mark Hyman
Did you know only four words in the English language end in “dous”? Hazardous is one of the four. Isn’t that tremendous? I think it’s stupendous… but my daughter thinks my sense of humor is horrendous. 🙈
It Takes a Village
Ok, I know the saying, “it takes a village,” refers to raising children, but I think the expression equally applies to giving individuals a fulfilled and enriched life.
In Dan Buettner’s book Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From The People Who’ve Lived The Longest, he travels to 5 places on Earth with more centenarians (people who live to be 100) than any other place on the planet.
After spending time in these regions, he discovered these older folks share 9 lifestyle traits—one of which is belonging to a community and sharing close ties with friends and family.
In Okinawa, Japan, they have created what’s called moai.
It is a group of lifelong friends that gather to talk, share advice, and do things together—sometimes supporting each other through financial, health, and spiritual distress.
The moai fills these women with a sense of purpose, responsibility, and connection, and it’s one of the most significant contributing factors to their longevity.
The desire to belong to a group is one of the most fundamental necessities of being human.
It’s why even the most hardened criminals are punished by being put in a single cell alone for weeks or months.
They might be tough, but the thought of isolation is terrifying and will break them.
Living in cities and suburbs might give the illusion of being connected, but if we haven’t cultivated meaningful relationships with people we care about, it’s impossible to feel fulfilled and content.
You might have every aspect of your life in check, but it can feel profoundly pointless if there’s no one to talk to or share your wins and losses.
If you’re feeling the effects of loneliness…
- Try volunteering at a church, shelter, or local event.
- If you have the time, pick up a part-time job that involves helping the general public or joining an adult sports league.
- There are also apps with meet-ups for people with common interests, like same-breed dog hangouts, hiking, bike riding, or just going for walks around town.
You might not even realize how badly you need it till you put yourself out there.
Remember, we are all interconnected, and sometimes, the simple act of connection can bring clarity, comfort, and a renewed sense of purpose.
It might take a village to raise a child, but it takes that same village to make you feel whole.
How To Stay Poor Forever
Wow.
This post from Alex Hormozi that he titled, How to Stay Poor Forever, will make you think. It certainly made us think — and we figured it was worth sharing!
Do you do any of these things on a regular basis?
Image of The Week
This Week’s Riddle
Here’s this week’s riddle — the answer is at the bottom of the email!
I possess a halo of water, walls of stone, and a tongue of wood. Long I have stood; what am I?
This Week’s Journaling Prompt
Take some time to think through the following journaling prompt.
Are you getting the amount of community that you feel you need/want in your life? Why or why not?
This Week’s Challenge
Find a community to join. Or go a bit deeper in a community you’re already a part of. We’re human beings and we need connection. Don’t be afraid to actively seek that!
Riddle Answer: a castle.