Open to Connection 2




“As human beings our need to connect with others is deeply hardwired.”

I decidedly arose from behind my work desk this week, gathered my packed lunch and went down to sit for a while with a small group of elderly men and women who gather in a Centre at my work to eat and talk and sometimes to venture.

I asked one lady in my new group of friends, ‘so where were you born?’. The question snowballed! One by one, their eyes sparkled and the effortless, joyous stories of birth countries, mothers, fathers and siblings, and for many how they came to live in Australia, captured me – all of us actually. 

I don’t think it needs a great skill to connect with others – all I did was ask a simple question to create an open space and opportunity to engage with others.

In a time when evidence reports are telling us that one in four Australians feel lonely one day a week – connection seems vital.

As human beings, our need to connect with others is deeply hardwired and goes right back to when we would hang out in groups so we could survive. Times have changed, but not being connected to others. Isolation and loneliness can take a huge toll on our relationships, health and wellbeing.

Let’s be brave and be open to connect with others and help others connect with each other.

No Regrets

Penny


About Penny

Penny was born in England, raised in New Zealand, lived in America and settled in Perth, Australia. Together with her husband Mark, she is raising a teenage daughter and has twin twenty-something sons. "Coming home at the end of a solid working day to family and friends is my delight" says Penny, Co-author of the book – She’s Not Your Competition. She is a heart-felt communicator who believes in the power of a person’s story. Penny has over 25 years experience as a high level leader and spokesperson in both the private and non-profit sectors with significant public relations experience. She is currently the CEO of South Coastal Women's Health Services, and prior on the Leadership Teams of Rise Network and Riverview supporting people in areas of mental health, domestic and family violence, and children overseas at risk of exploitation. She holds an MBA and MBL, and is a Board Director for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. For the past 15 years she has provided pro-bono support as a mentor for leaders and consultant to not for profits. Penny’s personal life endeavour is a determination to "make life better not bitter".

2 thoughts on “Open to Connection

  • Patricia

    I cannot see “all comments” when I click on that link. Only allows a post of my own. I sometimes want to comment, sometimes read. I can’t read only until I fill in all my details. I get kin women in my email already. So how can I simply read other peoples comments please.
    Cheers
    P

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