Connectedness

Connectedness

Pat Williams likes to say “If you could have done it on your own, you probably would have done it by now.” Going it alone is not only tough, it often just isn’t effective in achieving change.

One of the main reasons I’m working at developing the field of wellness coaching is because I truly believe that the alliances we create in coaching serve us in many ways. Lasting lifestyle change is often an illusive goal. People try and fail, and try and fail…alone.

Wellness coaching gives the person a true ally to help them through the behavioral change process. It works, and there is something greater going on here.

I really believe that the good efforts of many of us in the coaching field are motivated by powerful desires to make this world a better place. There is a lot of good work to be done, many deserving causes, but when you really think about the impact we can make, isn’t much of it about connectedness?

We talk about how today is the new era of epidemics. Of course there is the HIV/AIDS epidemic world-wide which we need to get our collective heads out of the sand about. There are also the epidemics we see here in the U.S.A., and much of the more developed world, such as the incredible rise of obesity, diabetes, and heart-related disease. Epidemiologists are also talking about the epidemic of LONLIENESS AND DEPRESSION.

A clinically depressed person is three to seven times more at risk of death. Our society seems to continually be creating isolating environments. Work “cubicles”, housing and neighborhoods that totally lack any sense of community, work tasks that require much more interaction with data than with real, live human beings. You know how surprised you are when you call a company and a genuine, “old-fashioned” receptionist answers your call in “real time”! We all thrive on connection.

As often seems to happen though, when we are so split apart and isolated, something reminds us of our common bonds. Katrina and the Gulf Coast. Those of us who weren’t in the middle of it, see the images on TV and our hearts truly go out to the people affected. We send aid in whatever form we can. (Go to the ICF website www.coachfederation.org and engage in the forum there, see how you can make donations and sign up to volunteer.)

Next July, 2006, The National Wellness Conference will hold it’s 31st annual conference and the theme will be “The Power Of Supportive Relationships”. Check it out at www.nationalwellness.org. The deadline for program submissions is October 7th - in just a couple of weeks! Consider how you might contribute your expertise to this great conference and further connectedness in the world.

Michael

Michael Arloski, Ph.D.
Dir. of Wellness Coaching - ILCT
www.realbalance.com
michael@realbalance.com
970-568-4700

Comments

[Mark Jones]

Thanks so much for this great article, fantastic!

Mark Jones
http://www.artofthesoul.com

[Adelaide]

Great post. I especially love the line "You know how surprised you are when you call a company and a genuine, “old-fashioned” receptionist answers your call in “real time”! We all thrive on connection." It's so sad that the one thing we as humans crave so much is the one we are doing everything in our power to eleminate. Human connection is so important, yet it seems so rare.

[Darlene]

I just found your sight and find myself intrigued. As a teacher in a public high school I feel strongly about not only the academic well being of my students but the emotional well and social well being of each one. I recently read John Assaraf's, "Having It All" http://www.johnassaraf.com/blog/2007/10/31/your-powerful-brain/ , and found I am intrigued with the overview of different types of intelligence and description of some of the ways each type is demonstrated. The amazing part of all of this for me is that once I begin to identify how the young people demonstrate varied multiple intelligence types I can begin to address the emotional and social levels that impact the level of learning in my classroom. Thanks for giving me further food for thought and further action.

[Michael Arloski]

Thank you all for your complements and comments about this blog topic. COACHING FOR CONNECTEDNESS has become more valued than ever. We are seeing that helping our clients to be less isolated and more connected in their lives MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IN WELLNESS COACHING!

Also, to remind you all, the Whole Person Associates book, WELLNESS COACHING FOR LASTING LIFESTYLE CHANGE is available everywhere now.

To everyone's health!
Dr. Michael Arloski

[Charles Bentley]

Very professional and informative blog.

[Tina]

What a wonderful blog

[Steve Crenshaw]

This article has a very good core. I believe that we as coaches are called to male the world a bettter place

[Tom Bailey]

I like your blog it is very informative.

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