In this first episode of CASA Talk, host, Hope Dunbar, discusses the Network Relationship Map with Linda Kallhoff and the idea of healing a person by healing the map. We talk connection, reciprocity and the power of relationship to change a life. This episode will have you thinking more deeply about your relationship with the world, your relationship with those you meet in a thousand different ways and how human connection contains healing worth our time and focus. 

 

Using the Network/Relationship Map above, complete your own by filling it out accordingly:

RULE: Paid relationships do NOT go in the map

In the center circle: Identify by name the most important people in your life. List the close spiritual relationships, people you share your dreams with, people who know the skeletons in your closet. List the people who, if they left, your heart would break! Social media friends can only be listed here if they meet the above criteria.

In the outer circle: Other important relationships (friends, extended family, etc.) Think, "Family Tree." People you might invite to a significant celebration in your life (wedding, anniversary, first communion of your child, graduation party, "over the hill" birthday party). People who might show up to your funeral and be sad, people on your Christmas card list (if you do that). Social media friends may be listed if they fit the above criteria.

Upper Left quadrant: Your hobbies, interests, recreational and vocational past and present. Your causes, What you do for fun (or what you would do for fun if you had the time), what you do to relax, vacations, where you spend your weekends.

Upper Right quadrant: Civic, social and professional organizations past and present. Your religious or church affiliation and any sub-group or committee where you've helped within the organization. List all the schools you've attended (where you do have alumni status?), memberships you had during childhood or adolescence (clubs, teams, activities), and any memberships you have as a parent (soccer coach, PTA, den mother, etc.). Also, any informal social groups you are a part of - (coffee group, walking club, Friday after work friends)

Lower Left quadrant: Businesses where you spend your money. Think, "Bank Statement." Places where you are a customer and one of the employees recognizes as a regular customer or even knows your name. You might even know one or more of the employees by name. Businesses where, when you pay by check,  they won't ask you for a form of identification because they know you. 

Lower Right quadrant: All the jobs you've ever held from childhood on. (Babysitting, lawn mowing, car washing all the way through high school jobs, college jobs into adulthood). Any internships or classes that were connected to work experience. List different positions held within the same company due to promotion or restructuring or downsizing or reinvention. List subtitles you hold if you are a parent or guardian (taxi driver, tutor, chef, nurse, crisis coordinator, maid, etc). Any mentoring you've received or performed and any charities you've supported past or present.

Your map is a snapshot of your footprint in the world and how and why you are connected both intimately and distantly to potential relationships. Look at your inner and outer circles and see if there are connections from those circles out to the different quadrants. How are the quadrants connected and through whom are they connected?

What would it be like if your inner circle were empty? 

Listen as we talk about the map and the power of the map to invigorate our lives and make us healthier.