"I became fascinated by the idea of a conductor. I think that it was explained to me that the conductor is the one that puts everything together and makes everyone do their best and has the whole score in their mind - all these magical things I thought were unreachable."
Alondra de la Parra
It has been quite some time since live performance has been a part of our lives, due to the pandemic. I, like many of you, miss it. I miss attending concerts, musicals, and dance performances. Music and art feed my soul and are an important part of my life!
There is something about musicians or performers coming together and tapping into all of your senses, taking you on a magical journey! This is accomplished by each person lending their energy, talent, and passion and then transferring it to the next person. THIS is synergy. Synergy is defined as the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Or in the words of Aristotle, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
My favorite synergistic experiences combine art with nature. I have attended several performances by Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre that have completely captivated me, leaving me spellbound long after the show ended. These performances are set on a stage in the middle of the woods, taking place after sunset. It is in these settings, with nature as the backdrop that I am transported to a whole other dimension.
Synergy is intrinsic in nature. Plants and animals don’t have to consciously THINK about working together, they just DO so by design. Each species and ecosystem supports the other in the circle of life.
Hardwired within humans is the need to connect to each other. When we set our ego aside and collaborate with others we honor individual gifts and contributions, achieving this synergistic state and catapulting ideas so much further! This works within families, the workplace, communities, and society!
Food synergy is another example of the design of nature and supporting the whole. Science shows that the tens of thousands of phytochemicals contained within fruits and vegetables work together to support optimum health and well-being when we eat the whole food. We try to mimic nature by taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements together because they complement each other and ensure that our body absorbs them to get the greatest possible benefit. When we say “eat real food” and focus on "eating the rainbow" it is with food synergy in mind.
“The word synergy comes from the Greek sin-ergo, meaning, to work together. It describes a mutually supportive atmosphere of trust, where each individual element works towards its own goals, and where the goals may be quite varied; nevertheless, because all elements of a synergetic system support one another, they also support the whole.” R. Buckminster Fuller
Self-care practices create synergy within our bodies and our lives. Each practice of eating well, getting enough rest, spending time in meditation, and moving our bodies works in turn to support all the systems within our body, making them stronger, more resilient, and helping us to tune into the greater whole. For instance, there have been countless times that I have come out of my meditation time with some idea that “fell” into my head! An idea that not only supported me but my family or community. In fact, that’s how ReConnectEd To Life was born! I would imagine that you have had plenty of your own “aha” or synergistic experiences.
Sometimes synergy is elusive. It takes intention and present moment awareness to stay in this state. Enter self-care. When we take the time to consistently practice self-care we are able to enter this state with more regularity. And if you know, you know. Being in this state reconnects us to this feeling of oneness, not only with our co-workers, or family but with humanity.
Our ReConnected To Life events are designed to bring people together to reveal all that unites us and to propel each other forward. We hope that as 2020 winds down and you look ahead to the new year you take the opportunity to join us at an upcoming event. If 2020 taught us anything, it was that life is change. Constant change. Know that 2021 will be no different in that regard. As much as we are all praying that there will be some relief from the pandemic and the incredible loss that so many have suffered, difficulties and change will still arise. We must continue to connect with one another and our innate abilities to make each of us stronger together.
In 2021 we invite you to join us for individual coaching, group coaching, a workshop, or retreat. We want to inspire you to tap into your strengths and the synergy of our coaching to move you onward, upward, and outward!
With love and gratitude,
Kinda and Rachel
