I’ve looked at connection as a means to find common ground with those who share the same viewpoint, as a means to be validated and to validate others, and a way to be heard.  There are varying forms of connection from understanding self, to friendships, to deeper relationships, to the work we do, and each of those connections has an impact on our emotional well-being and our overall outlook.  I have always believed in kindness toward strangers, but I never looked at that as anything beyond surface level.  I listened to a meditation the other day and it suggested forming a different level of connection with strangers.  This was based on the premise that the more connections we have, the happier we are.  To me, connection is something deep where we bond over something.  I don’t look at connecting with people I don’t know as a source of connection in that regard because we don’t have the time invested in each other. 

I write these words in order to connect with those they may resonate with.  Yes, those people are strangers, but the words that speak to us often hit deeper than surface level.  Plus this work is targeted.  I’m not trying to reach every single person in the world—of course that would be lovely if we could all get on the same page—but this isn’t for everyone, no one is for everyone.  But the meditation I heard emphasized that there is value in the day to day micro-connections we can form.  It has been show to boost your joy through a head nod.  When we open ourselves up to others we expand our outreach and know we are not alone.  The more people we interact with, the more opportunity we have to belong to something.  There is also joy found in stepping outside of our comfort zone.  Truth be told, it doesn’t take much to go from a head nod to a conversation and that is a chance to be seen as we really are.  We don’t need to rush through this world with our heads down in a phone.  We can learn to connect.

Research shows that a random conversation can boost our confidence as well.  The more we belong, the better we feel, and what better way to belong than joining the conversation?  We are all connected by our humanity, so sharing a common piece of ourselves isn’t as difficult as we make it out to be.  It starts with an introduction, a breaking the ice.  I’m not saying that we will automatically bond with people on a deep level, but there is likely something we have in common with most.  Take the time to expand our outreach and build relationships with people.  There is joy in connection, and joy is something we all need to connect with more often.  Not the “hunting for likes” joy we get from a social media hit, but real connection that speaks to who we are.  There are possibilities everywhere, we are just a conversation away from genuine connection.