Nexus

Bonds. A feeling which can be felt in all contexts of human interaction. To know that there is another individual that has chosen to place you in their mental and emotional space is great! To be able to mirror this is just as good, possibly better. In life, people spend their time maintaining the connections they have made with others as they provide a sense of purpose and security to the individual. However, what can be forgotten on this journey is to manage the bond with the most important component in a person's life, themselves.

Families and friends are the most consistent association an individual will have in their life span. If we reflect on our own lives, our habits, likes and dislikes are all shared, tolerated and celebrated with our families and friends. Take a minute to reflect on these bonds and imagine life without them. Could you see yourself without them? Is your bonds strong enough or do you think you could get even closer to others? The importance that is placed on these bonds is reflected in the response given when there is a disruption in the bonds originally created.

To overcome set backs and losses are vital in human growth. The experience of losing someone close leaves an empty space in the course of life, at times permanent though usually temporary. That is a given as the reasons for this varies, dependent on the circumstances. However what remains constant is the bond that we share with ourselves. Whether it be an attachment to the heart, soul, mind or body, this particular bond is one that must remain the strongest and constant throughout the life span.

The phrase "feed the soul" is one that stands out for me because the bond with the soul is one that needs constant management. At times, we as individuals become so consumed with external matters, we forget to focus on ourselves. Usual recommendations such as yoga, meditation and reading can be useful but that is for a more generic audience. I believe everyone's bond requires their own perspective and strategies best suited to themselves. So here are a few friendly little suggestions of my own which I hope would be useful to you:

1. Talk to YOURSELF out loud.

Yes, do this. So much time is spent thinking and having conversations in the mind, but where is the release? Speaking with others is easy, we use our words to communicate with others in order to express our thoughts and feelings, so try doing it with yourself, after all, communication is key, right?

2. Get in touch with your nostalgic side.

That song that you listened to so often in the 90s that made you feel good, play it every morning. That meal you used to eat after school whilst watching your favourite show on the telly, consume it once in a while. That thing you used to do every day but don't have the time anymore due to commitments, make time for it. The past does not need to stay in the past, let it follow you wherever you go in this life, if it was good enough then, it is good enough now.

3. Love yourself.

I know, easier said than done, but dissect this phrase and give it the value it deserves. The strongest bonds are those filled with love; family, partners, friends etc. As individuals, it is vital that we look after ourselves, whether it be from health to financial status, as this will create the footprint to maintain bonds with others. So to be able to commit to these bonds, it is important to love who you are and what you can bring to others.

To conclude, no one can love you as much as you can love yourself, that is a guarantee! This is because there is no limit to it, the very first and last bond we have in our life span is with ourselves, so honour it, take care of that bond and always remember to love yourself.

Embrace Life. Love Life. Live Life.