I need your help...I want to do away with the phrase: "6 degrees of Separation"
Good day all-
The language we use is one of the biggest influencer's of our current situation. If you talk about how bad things are, guess what, things tend to get a little worse.
If you say, I'm running late, you will catch almost every light. If you talk about how great life is, it normally bends that way too.
This is why phrases like "War on poverty/drugs" are so dangerous.
But that's not what this post is about. It's about changing the old phrase "6 degrees of separation". Frankly, I believe as people we are separate enough. Think of the differences in our area:
- City and Suburbs
- African-American and caucasian
- Democrats and Republicans (tis the season, you know)
- The 3rd wealthiest county in the country and some of the poorest areas in it too
- Happy about today's decision and not so much (had to)
Yes, those are all things that separate us. Do we need to keep focusing on them?
Can I encourage to start extolling the virtues of "6 degrees of connectedness"?
I have written the first of what will be a cool little blog series on the topic entitled "6 degrees of Connectedness". I would love to have you come by and explore the conversation with me here.
While we are on the topic of connecting, we have some great events coming up.
This Sunday is the Walk for Friendship.
Next Tuesday we will be doing MCC Live in both Ann Arbor and Royal Oak
Next Thursday marks the debut of MCC Live in Dearborn
There are trainings happening on 9/8(networking training), 9/19 (linkedin training) and 9/22 (MCC training) all of which can make you a better you.
As always, tell us what we can do for you in the Ask section. We shall look forward to seeing you online, in person and in the community.
Be Connected-
Terry
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Terry,
Good point. I agree.
"Six degrees of separation" emphasizes apart-ness. "Six degrees of connectedness" or "six degrees of linkage" emphasizes how we are together, which is much more in the spirit of human interaction.
Or so says this white Democrat from an urban community in the third wealthiest county who is just glad it's all over.
Jeff
Terry,
Your positive outlook is inspirational. Thanks.
In this biggest little small town in America we are probably only separated by 2 degrees. Everyone is at least a friend or a friend of one of my friends. Does that mean we are connected by hundreds or thousands of degrees?
Cathy
Hello Terry,
Methinks you are a L.O.A. student and see our conciousness as one and the same. Yes, indeedy.
Confirm if that is true.
I have been stating for years to those listening in horror, and long before I ever heard of Law of Attraction, that those asking for my guidance were not competitors. There is plenty for all of us!
And any differences are simply contrasts. They shouldn't be barriers.
Jill
Wow, so simple yet so powerful. The law of attraction truly at work. Thanks for sharing Terry.
Terri David, MBA
www.natural-cure-alternatives.com
www.terridavid.com
Terry your positive perspective on this is so upbeat and refreshing to read in what has been such a gloomy day in Detroit history. Thank you for your upbeat leadership and guidance.
I see a bit of a mouthful. I'd like to suggest "Six Degrees of Connection" I think it flows a bit better.
If you believe that the words you use create your reality (or maybe more accurately said, where you're looking from in using the words you're using is what creates your reality), I like the world you're creating in saying "six degrees of connection" WAY more. There is so much in our culture that seems to pull for separation, apartness, aloneness, defending oneself, etc.
But underneath all those differences, we are all connected. And life is so much richer and wonderful when we tap into that fundamental connection. Let's practice connection! (And it does take practice, people...)
How many new ways can you find to BE connected today?
Alright, in order of responses received:
Jeff, your post cracked me up. Well played! Always happy when people know exactly who they are.
Catherine- on the actual blog post someone made the correct statement that degrees of separation and degrees of connectedness are opposite. Your point seems to illustrate that as well. A little known secret about Terry, while he was in the 99% in Math up until the 8th grade, he lost interest in it sometime quickly thereafter. Loosely translated, I care not to run the numbers
Jill- as you already know, you and I share the same consciousness. As such I am in complete agreement with your statements. I have been touting the virtues of collective consciousness since I tapped into it back in 94. While I am a big fan of "the secret" it's not because of what it taught me, but how it mainstreamed these types of conversations. I do believe they could have been more practical in the application, but again...it really is/was Universal Laws 101. I am just grateful they offered the class.
Terri, see above.
Barbara- you are more than welcome. I really believe that there is plenty of great things happening here and as Jeff mentioned, I am glad that part of our history is just that...history. Thank you for the kind words.
Jason- All mouthful jokes aside (did I really just type that?) the word was chosen purposefully as it fits the 6 things to which I believe we should be connected. Those 6 are listed here: http://networkedinc.wordpress.com/blog/ It is important to note that there were other people who believe they have better words for it too and that's great. I just don't like the idea of separation.
Natalie, I enjoy BEing connected to you and the rest of our fine group here at MCC!
Jeff... right on brother! Terry - Once again... you are the man! Catherine - spot on... this area is very seperated yet VERY connected! and finally... like everything this will blow over with the city of Detroit and things will of course ONLY get better and better for the city!
Interesting syntax conversation on this thread.
Much as I like terseness (the state of BEING terse), after some thought, I prefer "Six degrees of connectedness" because this phrase speaks of BEING connected.
Connectedness is not just something you do, it is something you ARE. Mytaphysically.
Wow! That was deep!
Jeff
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to ditto what Terry said about the "The Secret" not having taught him anything new but applaud it for taking the information to the masses. However, there are some out there who may have seen it or read the book and just don't get it YET. I know a few of them. So I would like to ask for your help.
Join me in making a commitment to live and model the law of attraction. It takes each one of us doing our part to make a difference in the whole. Just think of all the lives each of us touches during the course of a day. Isn't that what this site is about?
One by one we can change the world. So for the next 30 days join me in committing to a daily practice purposeful attraction. (if you aren't already doing it)
Also wanted to add to look at the post about Lift Detroit In Prayer as this event is about connectedness.
Terri David
www.natural-cure-alternatives.com
www.terridavid.com
Hey Guys,
An interesting Connectedness story for you,
Last night I was at the wedding of a friend of mine. Sarah and I were talking to the people at our table, and it turns out one of the gentlemen there owns the Salon that Sarah used to get her hair done at (when we lived on that side of town). They asked her what she does, and she says "I work for the Friendship Circle". A woman jumps up and says "O they are having a walk, I just signed up for it" ... I asked her where she heard about it. She says. "I am a member of an organization called Motor City Connect. A business associate by the name of Terry Bean introduced me to this guy named Ben Rosensomething as a referral; I saw the walk on the MCC calendar, thought it was a good idea and joined"
Needless to say, we got a good laugh when we realized that just last week, Terry introduced me to her because she is an insurance agent, and agents are my clients. I recognized her name but could remember from where. She had missed my name, so didn't know she was talking to me.
Thanks for the connection Terry.
Let's keep the Motor City Connectedness going.
Ben Rosenzweig
Oh Ben, What a story! thanks for the share, it made my day even brighter.
Terri David
www.natural-cure-alternatives.com
www.terridavid.com
Ben,
That is hysterical. I love it. Life is like a giant partially done puzzle and we work it backwards to see how we are connected... how we got to point G from point A. So rewarding and fun.
On the Secret...well, I liked that well enough as an intro. I had been living in my very hard reality and it took me a year to actually watch it at the urging of a consultant. But it has proved to be a great stepping stone to a whole new way of thinking and living. And with great results. I am a student of a couple of different guru's , so to speak. Tiny doses here, big gulps there. Drinkin' the KoolAid and scaring my family members. Whatever!
Jill
Terry -
Finally emptied out my inbox and I must say this is just about my favorite piece you've written. "I believe as people we are separate enough." Gold.
Thanks for continuing to inspire us. Heading off to read the whole series...
http://networkedinc.wordpress.com/blog/