Relational Bridges | Reciprocal | 7 Habits
Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS.
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach:
Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Relational Bridges
“No Man Is An Island” was written in 1623 by John Donne, not as a poem, but a famous excerpt from his Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions. While he was in the grips of a serious illness, Donne examined what it means to be a human being and connect to others. While I was pondering the same thing recently, a picture came to mind.
I see our connectivity as each of us standing as an individual, while numerous links - bridges - connect us to other people, as well as many other things we relate to. Relating isn’t just about human connection, it includes businesses, brands, our past, the ugly vase you inherited, your favourite jumper, your childhood home and so on. Relating to anything is to assign meaning between us and the other thing / person. This is where the concept of being connected via bridges came from. The meaning doesn’t necessarily need to be positive, our meanings can come in all shapes and sizes - just as bridges can be. We each have a whole host of bridges - relationships - that can include some fraying rope-bridge just like the ones in Indiana Jones, a few beautiful Monet bridges, and some significant bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge. Here are a few more thoughts…
If we don’t maintain these bridges they will deteriorate.
Some bridges have served their purpose and now have “do not cross” taped across them.
Meeting in the middle of bridges is the ‘common ground’ of understanding and compassion
Even ‘no longer used’ or required bridges are connected to us
Access from each bridge to us is our responsibility (otherwise known as having boundaries)
Trying to hold a bridge up single-handedly is not a long-term strategy
We can build new bridges whenever we choose
Bridges = meaning
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Reciprocal
Following on from the Learn above, a fabulous bridge has people at each end who can give and receive in an equal and fair manner - the relationships are reciprocal.
The word ‘reciprocal’ means: "existing on both sides, exclusive or interchangeable". The word is from pre-Latin RECUS-PROCUS, which breaks down into RE "back" + PRO "forward" and CUS meaning ‘a motive’.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Strengthen a Bridge
Think about all of your bridges that connect you to things and people you relate to. Is there one that stands out as needing a little attention or work to strengthen it?
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“What boundaries do I need to create and why?”
It’s easy to lose sight of necessary boundaries and - in extreme cases - the need to put some “do not cross” tape on things. What boundaries do you need to create and protect - and why?
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Shared Values
This is a quick ‘shout out’! I’m shouting out and celebrating all those that share our values. One of the best ways to strengthen a relational bridge is to understand what matters to us and align this with others who share them too.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
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LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
