Summary
The wellbeing of the world depends on the wellbeing of individuals and communities and nations. Connection between human beings contributes to wellbeing. Work on connecting with your neighbours on common causes. Let’s find common ground to save our world from chaos and from narcissists who would like to divide us for their own benefit.
Wellbeing of The World
None of us is an island, despite the rallying cries of our individualistic society in the USA. We are interconnected. Thus, my wellbeing affects your wellbeing. Our wellbeing as a nation affects the wellbeing of the world. Let’s explore
No Man Is An Island
The English language classic ‘poem’ entitled “No Man Is An Island” speaks truths across the ages. It is actually an excerpt of a larger work by Donne, the section Meditation XVII from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions. Let’s read it together.
No Man Is An Island (John Donne, England, 1572-1631)
No man is an island
Entire of Itself;
Every man is a place of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls:
It tolls for thee.
https://allpoetry.com/No-man-is-an-island
Through our travels in life, we encounter many people. To each of them, we are linked via connection. The website for the public transportation system in London, England, Transport for London, offers poetry for the day and “No Man Is An Island” has been honoured on its website:
https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12393.aspx?ID=32
Recall a time when you were amongst many people, perhaps on public transportation, and you sensed the connection to fellow human beings sharing the space and the physical journey. No doubt in my mind that on some level you were connected to people on that bus or subway or train.
The Neuroscience of Connection
Researchers are exploring the neurocircuits and chemicals which are implicated in the interconnectedness among living beings, focused in this post on the connections between human beings.
In previous posts, I have referenced the importance of interconnectedness for the mental wellbeing of human beings.
Today, I would like to reference the neuroscience literature on the chemical, oxytocin, which is implicated in the teamwork. Take a listen to this interview, conducted by Rich Diviney, retired Navy Seal commander, with Dr. Paul Zak who conducts research on the neurologic mechanisms fostering connection and trust, leading to teamwork:
Note that the research of Dr. Paul Zak is not the end-all and be-all in the field. There have been counterpoints to some of his research. Nevertheless, the research and this interview can inform our interactions with our fellow human beings.
Listen to the discussion about the dance between affiliation with an in-group versus the relationship with one’s out-group. Recall the UN video about peace and conflict resolution: tapping into social capital, the affiliation one feels with a social group, can allow for the development of prosocial behaviours. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJPHLbipNM)
Employing Connectedness in Society
I am not an expert in anything. I am pretty damn good at my “job” and in a few arenas of my personal life. And, I have deficits in many aspects of my life. I believe that people, in general, are similar to me.
One thing I do know, from experience, is that no one likes to have a gun pointed at their heart, either literally or proverbially.
Call me a name and I will put up with it for awhile. Call me a name and lace your name-calling with anger and words of hate: I will have a visceral reaction. I do not believe that I am alone. Likely, I will avoid further contact with you.
So, help me understand why many of us decide to use name-calling as a means of communication? If the goal is to alienate the other party and prevent further communication, go for it. But, we are interconnected, like it or not. We have to communicate in order to make collective decisions about the present and the future directions of our society. Name-calling is not a constructive means to engage people who hold opposing views; it is a way to end positive engagement.
Take-aways: the wellbeing of the world
We can harness our interconnectedness by seeking common ground. After all, we live in the same world.
Talk to your neighbour about the concern for adequate nighttime lighting in the neighbourhood. Initiate a conversation about the refuse on the streets that is unsightly and is clogging the storm water drain grates. Ask your neighbour what they think about the increased traffic in your neighbourhood. And, take the conversation further by sharing your thoughts and noting any similarities or differences in views between the two of you, without lining your statements with accusatory or angry or contemptuous tones. In other words, seek common ground and agree to disagree.
Consider the intersection between food and social connections. March is National Nutrition Month.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website: https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month
Think about how you can ally with someone by showing interest in their culture through their culinary particularities.
If someone throws a barb at you, notice and keep on walking. Easier said than done, I realize. The next time around, hope for a different interaction. And, keep hoping.
Because, we have to solve the chaos in our world.
We have to stand up to narcissists who would like to pit us against each other to promote their week egos and to allow them to steal the show. By feeding into the rhetoric of monoliths in society dividing us, we allow the narcissist to sap our energy and to conceal their real motive which is to enrich themselves while we are distracted in our petty squabbles with each other.
For the wellbeing of the world, practice communication which is assertive and embracing simultaneously. Not only is this possible, it is essential for the survival of our species, for the very wellbeing of the world.
Music for the wellbeing of our communities, our country, our world:
Ramin Kaminloo and Michael K. Lee performing Could We Start Again Please? from “Jesus Christ, Superstar”
Selected References:
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2025). https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month
Rich Diviney (April 14, 2022). The Neuroscience of Connection and Teamwork/Featuring Dr. Paul J. Zak. Accessed online on March 9, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcjgKUC8Z8E
UN Innovation Network. June 15, 2023. The Neuroscience of Peace and Conflict. Accessed online on March 9, 2025, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJPHLbipNM
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your mental health professional team.
If you are having thoughts to hurt yourself or other, please CALL 9-1-1; CALL 9-8-8; or GO to the nearest emergency room.
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