Connecting Intentionally

Remembering to Flourish is a call to action to live a life aware of the need to not only be intentional about finding fulfillment in our lives, but to also engage in practices that facilitate flourishing. I have identified twelve practices for flourishing. Here I will introduce the seventh practice.

Recall: (Practice) Connecting Intentionally

Recharge: (devotion) Social science research tells us that human beings are born with the capacity to form social connections and relationships. While, we may have the capacity to make connections, we still must be intentional about initiating and maintaining relationships. Being intentional means that we are making choices about who we engage with, how we engage, and when we engage.

Proverbs 27:10, “Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you – better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away, “ gives us some insight into what being intentional might look like. Additionally, being intentionally can look like calling someone or sending a text message to catch up life events or inquire about how they are doing. Not forsaking a family members can look like making and having meals together. Being intentional about our connections can look like hosting a paint-n-sip evening, joining a running club, going to a movie, going to a community event, going on vacation with your best friend, or planning a block party to meet your neighbors.

Connecting intentionally is how we live out a commitment to flourishing relationships. As our relationships flourish, we, in turn flourish in our well-being.

Reflect: (journal prompt) Who are you choosing to be in relationship with? How do you spend your time with these people? What actions might you need to take to nourish positive relationships in your life?

Rehearse: (affirmation) I am a good friend and I have good friends.

Refill: (prayer) Triune God, Thank you for creating us to be in relationship with you and with one another. We our humbled to be able to call you Friend. Help us to be a friend to others in the way that you have been a friend to us. May we be nourished by our relationships, and may our relationships bring you glory. Amen.