Living a Connected Life: Creating and Maintaining Relationships That Last

by Kathleen A. Brehony

A psychotherapist provides a prescription for creating and strengthening the essential
relationships that give our lives meaning

It is often difficult, in our hurried world, to create and maintain the kinds of connections necessary for a healthy life. We communicate with co-workers down the hall via e-mail, make friends on the Internet, live thousands of miles away from our families, and spend less and less time with our overscheduled spouses and children. These and other modern difficulties contribute to increased isolation and alienation. In Living a Connected Life , Dr. Kathleen A. Brehony poses and answers an essential "What does it mean to belong?" She presents research that underlines both the importance of social connections and the difficulties caused by their absence, and helps us recognize and understand these effects not only intellectually but with our hearts.

But this timely and important book is much more than a description of the problem- Living a Connected Life is a practical guide as well. Brehony includes inventories for self-evaluation; outlines her Steps to Enduring Relationships, meaningful measures to improve our webs of support and social connection; and shows how we can become more confident of our intrinsic worth and happier in our day-to-day existence.

Filled with personal stories and anecdotes and drawing upon spiritual teachings, poetry, and myth for illustration, Living a Connected Life is a timely guide to creating lasting relationships.

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2003

About the author

Kathleen Brehony is a personal and executive coach whose work blends decades of experience as a psychologist, writer, speaker, and media personality. Guided by the belief that people already hold the inner resources needed for growth, she helps clients pursue meaningful goals and live with purpose. A former Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, she spent more than twenty years in private practice and has taught at the university level while leading workshops on creativity, spirituality, and life transitions.
Kathleen is the author of several acclaimed books, including Awakening at Midlife, Ordinary Grace, After the Darkest Hour, and Living a Connected Life. Her work has inspired national media features, including a PBS special based on Awakening at Midlife. Alongside her writing and coaching, she has contributed widely to radio, television, and print, always aiming to bring insight to a broad audience.

Reviews

[Bill Glose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technology has led to many advances in our modern world, but it has also made living in it more of an isolated experience. In this book, Brehony uses her knowledge as a psychotherapist and personal coach to help strengthen the essential relationships that give our lives meaning. Living a Connected Life is filled with personal stories and anecdotes, and serves a practical guide, helping the reader self-evaluate, take steps toward enduring relationships, and grow more confident and happier in our day-to-day lives.

[Annemargaret Olsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first part of the book that looked at friendships from a sociological perspective. How our connections with others have changed over the decades - why, how and what this means for societies and for individuals. The second part of the book was more focused on the individual and psychological reasons that may be keeping that individual from having friends (big switch from the sociological perspective). This book was written before the social networking communities exploded so that form of connection is not discussed at a deep level.

[Necia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brehony's books discusses the importance of friends and intimate connections and makes suggestions for making new friends and building close relationships with existing friends. I found the book to be helpful and inspiring.