EMBODIED: The Antidote To An Epidemic of Loneliness And Isolation
THE ANTIDOTE TO AN EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS AND ISOLATION
In the age of artificial intelligence, a time also not coincidentally aligned with an epidemic of loneliness, human connection is an immense craving.
Multiple studies have shown that there is a growing rate of loneliness and isolation along a number of metrics including: 1. reported trust of others, 2. feeling emotionally connected, and 3. time spent alone.
The data indicates that loneliness and isolation are more widespread than other major health issues including smoking, diabetes, and obesity with comparable levels of risk to health and premature death.
In an effort to combat this, the US surgeon general has proposed a six-pillar strategy to advance social connection. The sixth pillar, Build a Culture of Connection calls for embodied leadership with a strong suggestion to, “Model connection values in positions of leadership and influence.”
Embodied leaders are aware and in touch enough with themselves to understand the impact of their being, and doing, and align the two for the greater good.
It is what here at The Love Work we call leadership from the inside out. Embodied Leadership is exhibited by those who consistently do the work to cultivate their inner world to embody the change they want to see in the world.
There is an underlying current or force that moves through someone who has taken the time to learn to be with their own humanity, vulnerability, and trauma and do something about it.
A very special gift to themselves that extends to others is cultivated.
COMPASSION
Merriam-Webster defines compassion as: a “sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
A key distinction in this definition is “a desire to alleviate it”.
As leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries we are in a position of service. When people entrust us with their leadership this comes with responsibility and a level of caretaking, whether we realize it or not.
Neglecting this creates a culture that leaks symptoms that mirror this oversight in our organizations, communities, and social networks. On the other hand, embracing and owning this gift entrusted to us creates a space of great transformation for ourselves and those around us.
This level of leadership requires great self-care. In the next five posts, I lay out five pillars of self-care for embodied leaders.
Hello, my name is Tiffany. My mission is to help you find soul-aligned solutions to birthing your vision on this planet.