Welcome and thank you for visiting Radically Relating.
Perhaps you landed here by accident, or are here because you already know something about my work and it holds value to you.
I write this blog with one goal in mind- to share ideas and resources that help people lead more fulfilling lives and have sustainable, healthy relationships.
I call it Radically Relating because according to Merriam Webster Radical means:
“proceeding from a root; relating to the origin-fundamental; very different from the usual; thorough; excellent/cool (slang).”
I believe that we live more fully if we stay in relationship with our fundamental Self.
If you are committed to live in a world that strives for peace, compassion, equality and justice, then there is no better place to start than with yourself. There is a sad irony in watching people, who are dedicating their lives towards helping others and our planet, struggle to find ways to treat themselves in kind.
Even if you don’t identify with such a calling, this blog is still relevant for you. We now have very good research to show that those who have positive and fulfilling relationships fare better emotionally and physically over those who don’t or those whose relationships cause significant distress.
The bottom line is that change starts with each of us. If we want to feel better, we need to be leading lives that are congruent with physical, emotional and spiritual health. Like ripples in a pond, healthy energy can emanate outward and touch those around us. We are hardwired to be in relationship with others. This is fundamental to being human, and being human is just that- being.
I am starting to wonder if it might be radical to actually wait for water to boil when making a cup of tea. We have been groomed to expect immediacy and those hot water spigots that rest on our counter tops reflect this idea.
Getting as many things done as quickly as possible seems to take precedence over genuinely experiencing our experience (mindfulness). Our present day culture seems to promote “doing” over “being”. The acquisition of “things” seems to be held in higher regard than the quality of one’s relationships on all sorts of levels.
Yet there is a price to pay.
The further away we get from ourselves, from being in our lives instead of doing our lives, the unhappier we become and my clinical work seems to support this time and time again.
Take a look at these staggering numbers:
According to a report that came out in October of 2011 by the Center for Disease Control, the rate of antidepressant use in the Unites States has increased by 400% among teens and adults (people ages 12 and older) since 1988 and estimates slightly more than one out of ten individuals age 12 and older are being prescribed antidepressants for depression or anxiety.
Certainly for those that truly need such medications the benefit can be life saving. These statistics make me wonder how many people are being treated for discomfort or unhappiness rather than for clinical depression. Yet this is not to suggest that I believe people should suffer. On the contrary, there are amazing ways we can feel better and have happy healthy lives without putting medication or toxins into our bodies. And besides, it doesn’t ever get to the root of the problem.
So, here is my radical idea: Help change the world (for good)- one person, one relationship at a time.
I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Peace,
Steffani