We are ALL Connected!!

We are ALL connected to so many things…We’re connected to this world, to our families, friends and even to ourselves. Our connections support and nurture us, they help us to change and grow and the really great ones provide all that support without passing judgment. 

 

As many of you know, after attending the Lego Serious Play course last month I ordered lots of Lego supplies, and am now ready to teach the many benefits of “playing”. One of the boxes of supplies holds what are called “connections”. They are a collection of assorted strings, ties, chains, poles, fences, and ladders that can be connected to Lego bricks to illustrate and emphasize our connections in work and in life. I loved using them in class to illustrate all the ways I was connected to the models my classmates had built, so I couldn’t wait to try them out at home. 

 

For my latest build, I not only used two types of connectors to make and hang a swing, I took it a step further and connected Lego mini figures to show the value and importance of the connections in my life. 

 

 

Hanging the swing required that I build something strong enough to hold it up. I built two pillars, because for me, they represent pillars that hold me up in my life. The significance of the pillars was based on a class I took years ago at the Washington National Cathedral where we walked outside and observed all the pillars and buttresses holding up the Cathedral. We were required to name all the people who were pillars and buttresses in our own lives. I’ve never forgotten the emotion and intense power of that exercise. 

 

After seeing my latest build, my daughter Kim asked “who are those four Lego anchors? I know they aren’t just there.” It was a great question and Kim was right, they aren’t just there! The four mini figures at the top and bottom of the pillars didn’t actually represent people in my life, but rather the different facets of my life – my work, home, caregiver and adventurous lives! The figures are wearing different color tops and bottoms which for me represent all of life’s events and experiences AND how they impact me. 

 

 

Kim also asked “who are the rest of them and does their placement have significance”? Another great question! The twenty additional mini figures in my model represent the team of connections that work together to support me. Some of them are close enough to touch each other, illustrating that some of my connections intersect, while some of them are not. Their placement didn’t have significance per se, the goal was simply to cover as many of the open spots as possible, closing any gaps where there wasn’t a connection, to illustrate that I, like all of us, need support from time to time in every part of my life. 

 

One of the points that is driven home to caregivers is to ensure that there is a network of support in place for whenever it is needed. I believe my network of support is wide and deep!  Most of you know my family and frienalies (friends who are family) and all the amazing things they do to support me. I love them ALL! There are times however that they even surprise me by providing support even when I didn’t know I needed it. That’s how you know your connections are strong!

 

Kim surprised me that way just last month, as she and Kendal spent 8 hours with me on my walk for The Longest Day Alzheimer’s fundraising event. I didn’t think I’d need any support as I’m accustomed to walking miles and miles alone, but as it turned out I DID need them and all the fun and laughter they brought along with them that day. I felt so embraced and loved by them both and it was a day I’ll never forget. 

 

What support do you provide to your connections? What connections have you built to support YOU in your life? Life can be hard without the right connections, but it’s never too late to build some great ones!!

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