On Being Connected

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“What I know now is that we’re all interconnected and that’s a really beautiful thing. We have links to everyone else in our lives and in the world. Different people have different journeys for different reasons. You can’t judge, but you can celebrate that there are connections everywhere”. – Jane Seymour

One of the things I love most about traveling is the connections I make around the world. Being connected to other human beings is essential to understanding the ever-changing world we live in today. As our world becomes more connected, it is critical that we understand other cultures, people, religions and beliefs. I find that the more connected I feel to my community and the world, the happier I am.

Connections can happen near or far. In fact, you don’t even have to travel to be connected to someone. You can read a blog post and connect online, you can connect with friends and strangers in your own community or you can simply pick up the phone and talk to someone. Everything you do in life is about connecting. Even stepping outside your door, makes you connect with other people. It is all a matter of paying attention to the connections we make with others and how they make us feel.

Here are some of the best connections I have made in my life. Connections that have made me who I am and what I stand for. There is always room for growth and expansion. The more I venture out into the world, whether it be physically or even through my blog the more connections I will make. It is incredible how large and how small are world has become.

Connections with family

Me and my dad at the start of the Annapurna trail in Nepal.

Connections with strangers or new friends

Me and one of our guides arriving at Barranco Camp. Mount Kilimanjaro
Holding a small child at the Kilimanjaro Orphanage Centre in Moshi, Tanzania.
In Ethiopia at Mosebo Village. June 2014
Maria. Guatemala.
Here is a 40-something year old mother holding her 10th child. She delivered this one at home like all the rest. She is at the Lie and Wait house with her 15-year-old daughter who was having complications. Otherwise her daughter would have delivered at home like she did.
Girl in red in Roatan, Honduras
Mosebo Village, Ethiopia

Connections with nature

Day 2 climb of Austria peak
The Path taken
Our campsite
On my way around one of many urban lakes in Minneapolis.
Sunset on the soccer field. Pearl Park, Minneapolis

Connection with myself

Put on a pair of snow shoes and hit the trails
I love my boots and they are a must have here! For women, boots to the knees are best.

Never fear solitude for solitude is what brings one to really become connected to oneself.  As much as I love to constantly be connected to people, sometimes you have to take a step back and spend time with yourself.

“Solitude is not the absence of company, but the moment when our soul is free to speak to us and help us decide what to do with our life. Therefore, blessed are those who do not fear solitude, who are not afraid of their own company, who are not always desperately looking for something to do, something to amuse themselves with, something to judge.” – Paulo Coehlo, “Manuscript Found in Accra”. 

Thanks Paulo Coehlo for reminding me!

Hike to Karanga Camp Machame Route Kilimanjaro

 

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Connected. 

23 thoughts on “On Being Connected”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Andrew! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  2. Ruth – Retired from Pittsburgh Public Schools Visual Art/photography teacher, photographer, knitter, reader, cook,baker, poet, filmmaker, Grandmother, traveler, Friend,
    Ruth on said:

    Wonderful and thorough post of connections. Love the quote at the end! Nice.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you Ruth! I appreciate the comment! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  4. wwwpalfitness – Hello my name is Paul and I used to write quite often and I missed it, so I decided to start this blog. I plan on publishing on Kindle with some of my specific writings. I am a bit of a wiseguy, have a mouth on me but I do curb my language in my writing but comments are another thing. My writing material is also quite varied. I hope you enjoy my posts. I am a long island based personal trainer and coach with over 25 years of experience. I have been a multiple time County Champ in various events, a State Champion and All American in both High School and College. I have also had injuries that have aided me in understanding how to train myself and others and have helped 1000s of clients attain and surpass their goals. I had my first certification in 1989 and my most recent is with ACSM. I work with people from all walks of life, ages, fitness goals and needs. <!-- Put this code anywhere in the body of your page where you want the badge to show up. --> <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/paul1mc" rel="nofollow"> paul1mc Fiverr Seller Hello my name is Paul McAleavey and I live in New York, specifically and sadly Suffolk County but not much longer. I am a Word press blogger, help create websites, I do marketing and SEO. My blogging is fairly frequent and I am very diligent in getting my work done quickly and efficiently. Paul </a>
    wwwpalfitness on said:

    Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness and commented:
    Lots of great pictures

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply ↓
      • wwwpalfitness – Hello my name is Paul and I used to write quite often and I missed it, so I decided to start this blog. I plan on publishing on Kindle with some of my specific writings. I am a bit of a wiseguy, have a mouth on me but I do curb my language in my writing but comments are another thing. My writing material is also quite varied. I hope you enjoy my posts. I am a long island based personal trainer and coach with over 25 years of experience. I have been a multiple time County Champ in various events, a State Champion and All American in both High School and College. I have also had injuries that have aided me in understanding how to train myself and others and have helped 1000s of clients attain and surpass their goals. I had my first certification in 1989 and my most recent is with ACSM. I work with people from all walks of life, ages, fitness goals and needs. <!-- Put this code anywhere in the body of your page where you want the badge to show up. --> <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/paul1mc" rel="nofollow"> paul1mc Fiverr Seller Hello my name is Paul McAleavey and I live in New York, specifically and sadly Suffolk County but not much longer. I am a Word press blogger, help create websites, I do marketing and SEO. My blogging is fairly frequent and I am very diligent in getting my work done quickly and efficiently. Paul </a>
        wwwpalfitness on said:

        You are welcome. I am curious as I have not received a single reblog. My settings in sharing says reblog is on. Can you see it?

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        I believe that the only way you get a reblog is if someone selects to reblog your post. If it is on, then yes anyone who wants to can reblog your post. I haven’t had a great deal of mine reblogged so perhaps it just takes time ?

      • wwwpalfitness – Hello my name is Paul and I used to write quite often and I missed it, so I decided to start this blog. I plan on publishing on Kindle with some of my specific writings. I am a bit of a wiseguy, have a mouth on me but I do curb my language in my writing but comments are another thing. My writing material is also quite varied. I hope you enjoy my posts. I am a long island based personal trainer and coach with over 25 years of experience. I have been a multiple time County Champ in various events, a State Champion and All American in both High School and College. I have also had injuries that have aided me in understanding how to train myself and others and have helped 1000s of clients attain and surpass their goals. I had my first certification in 1989 and my most recent is with ACSM. I work with people from all walks of life, ages, fitness goals and needs. <!-- Put this code anywhere in the body of your page where you want the badge to show up. --> <a href="https://www.fiverr.com/paul1mc" rel="nofollow"> paul1mc Fiverr Seller Hello my name is Paul McAleavey and I live in New York, specifically and sadly Suffolk County but not much longer. I am a Word press blogger, help create websites, I do marketing and SEO. My blogging is fairly frequent and I am very diligent in getting my work done quickly and efficiently. Paul </a>
        wwwpalfitness on said:

        Well I asked as I have been told by people that it is not showing. It is something wp is working on as it works on some browsers, not others some computers and not others. I have had ppl tell me they do not see it. I made changes and I was able to last Friday but not on safari on my computer but on my phone and I have had ppl tell me similar and worse.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        I will check it out. Thanks!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Janet! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  6. Marilyn Albright – Home Based in Sterling, Alaska – Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula has been home for more than 40 years. My husband, David, and I live on 10 acres of forest near the town of Soldotna. We are more or less retired, meaning we are retired from gainful employment but not from life! Our son lives in Australia and our daughter in Colorado. Photography, fiber arts, reading, and hiking/walking are some of my interests, and David shares my love of gardening, camping, cooking, and traveling, plus he is our tech expert.
    Marilyn Albright on said:

    Wonderful connections forever!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed Marilyn!

      Reply ↓

  7. So many wonderful images from your very rich life Nicole.

    And solitude is an absolute treat for me but not easy to come by either in my former life living in NYC or in my current life living on a 47 ft sailboat. The best place for me to find it is on long ocean passages when I am standing watch alone. That is about as close to perfect as life gets for me.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Do you normally have a large crew along Lisa on the boat? What were you doing in NYC for work? Do you ever miss it?

      Reply ↓

      • Well thank you for asking Nicole.

        Typically it is just The Captain and I sailing the boat. A friend has joined on two passages (Hawaii to Huahine and New Zealand to Fiji) but usually, we sail the boat on our own.

        In NYC, I was a Project Manager and Regional Head of my change group. I delivered organization, process, and technology changes needed to create/expand businesses, facilitate regulatory compliance, or reduce cost.

        Sometimes I miss being the Captain of my ship (project/team) and the comfort I find in (the illusion of) fixed plans. But I may get to enjoy these things again soon. I am looking to work for six months while sitting out the cyclone season in Sydney. Prospects look promising.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        What an interesting life you lead Lisa! Where did you meet the Captain?

      • Well given the interesting (life you lead, your compliment means a lot Nicole. The story of The Captain and I is a long one that will definitely find its way into a blog post someday 😀. We originally met on an internet site that connects people interested in sailing.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Lol! I would love to hear your story Lisa!!!

  8. Pingback: 10 Ways to Improve Your Online Connections | COW PASTURE CHRONICLES

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