Rebuild the Village: Why We Must Reconnect—On Purpose
If there’s still air in your lungs, it’s not too late.
Not too late to text that old friend. Not too late to make a new one. Not too late to repair a strained relationship or finally accept that coffee invite you keep brushing off.
Just yesterday, I reconnected with a good friend that I had lost touch with, and we picked up like no time had passed. He and his wife have been on my mind for so long, but I decided it was time to take action, stop thinking about them, and go see about them.
Here I am with my friend, Don Pinkard of Hidden History DFW. He is an extraordinary person with a wealth of fascinating insights. Learn more at https://www.hiddenhistorydfw.com.
In a world where it’s easier than ever to ghost, unfollow, or walk away, we’re losing the social nutrients we need to flourish.
Dr. Corey Keyes, in his book Languishing, outlines the “vitamins” that help humans thrive: meaning, engagement, positive relationships, accomplishment, and vitality. But there’s a catch—most of those nutrients are delivered through connection. And yet, we’re living through what many psychologists call a "relationship recession."
It’s digitally different now. Before the remote revolution, we disagreed, but still had to share space, learn to navigate tensions, and make it work. Now, with a click, people disappear from our screens—and sometimes, from our lives. But easy exits come at a cost: we’re eroding instead of building our villages.
A Personal Truth
Recently, I made the choice to reconnect—with old friends, distant colleagues, even family members I’d unintentionally drifted from. It felt awkward at first. But each text, each call, each "Hey, I’ve been thinking about you" was worth it. Why? Because we are wired for connection, not isolation. Rebuilding my village has fed my soul more than any algorithm ever could.
Relationships Take Work—But Here’s the Magic
We all have an ugly side. Mine? I’m usually upbeat and encouraging…, but I can become grumpy, irrational, and short-tempered when I get really hungry or tired.
Yours might be defensiveness, avoidance, or perfectionism. We pretend these don’t exist… until they sabotage our relationships. So why not lead with them? “Here’s my pesky emotional quirk. What’s yours?” Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s relationship insurance.
Also, don’t let short-term emotions steer your long-term decisions. In the heat of conflict, it's tempting to cut ties, especially online. But wise relationship builders focus on patterns—not outbursts. What does the data over time tell you? What’s true, not just what feels true in the moment? Decisions made from clarity, not chaos, are always better for your well-being.
So What Can We Do?
Be intentional: Make space on your calendar to reach out and reconnect.
Be vulnerable: Share your flaws early and invite others to do the same.
Be resilient: Learn to disagree with grace, especially online. Set norms, name emotions, and use logistics to stay human across screens.
Be a village builder: Cultivate relationships like the essential resource they are.
Flourishing isn’t a solo sport. The healthiest, happiest people have one thing in common: they nurture relationships on purpose.
So if you’ve lost touch with someone, reach out. If your village feels too small, grow it. If you’ve been isolating, open the door.
It’s not too late. And it’s so, so worth it.
💬 Want a roadmap to rebuild your village?
My keynote and workshop, Thriving Connections, is designed to help people do just that—turn passive networking into meaningful human connection. Based on neuroscience, storytelling, and emotional intelligence, this session helps audiences strengthen trust, bridge differences, and create deeper bonds.
👉🏼 I’m here for you. Let’s explore how, together, we rebuild villages.
Because it’s not too late. And it’s so worth it.