“There is no desert like living without friends.” – Baltasar
Ancient wisdom:
The first person to connect with is yourself.
The desire for community is normal. But Marcus Aurelius wrote, “However, a man should be prepared to be sufficient for himself and to be his own companion.”
“What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself.” Seneca – quoting Hecato. He went on to say, “You may be sure that such a man is a friend to all mankind.”
You aren’t fit to be a friend until you are a friend to yourself. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark (Gospel of Mark)
How to connect with yourself:
#1. Know your own thoughts.
Notice your inner dialogue. Do you beat yourself down or encourage yourself? If you want to lift others learn to encourage yourself.
#2. Know your own strengths.
Your weaknesses bring less value to the world than your strengths.
Your contribution to the world revolves around the things you naturally do well. Reflect on your positive impact on others. Notice any actions that are spontaneous and effortless.
#3. Know your own desires.
Know what you want before considering what others expect. Pleasing others is part of success but drive your own life.
#4. Know your own limitations.
Humility is opportunity. Openness to growth lifts you higher than complacency. Arrogance over-estimates capacity.
Protect yourself from burnout. Your future expands when you know your limitations.
#5. Know your own needs.
According to Martin Seligman, You need five things to flourish.
- Positive emotion – joy, gratitude, love, and optimism.
- Engagement – activities that capture your attention and focus your energy.
- Relationships – connections characterized by mutual support.
- Meaning – belonging to something bigger than yourself.
- Achievement – pursuing and reaching self-development goals.
What could you do today to connect with yourself?
Practice self-reflection for a few minutes each day. Use pen and paper to record your observations.
“The Vagrant” teaches people how to engage in structured self-reflection.
