The Key to Connection is You
Let’s face the facts
The holiday season is just around the corner. As always, the conversations around the family dinner table are bound to get uncomfortable. You need a plan….fast!
Adulting does not have to be hard
Admittedly, I find “adulting” to be a ridiculous word. What the hell does it even mean? If what one intends is to suggest that being a grown-up isn’t all that fun, I suppose there is some truth to that…but I also have found it is not all that “tough” if one simply makes a conscious decision to actually be an adult.
I expected to get blown up on this one
Earlier this week, I was inspired to make a statement on social media. You know the type. A somewhat windy, wordy prose about a singular view of some topic bound to attract the nastiest of responses from those trolls who seem to be abundantly living today in every corner of the internet. But…I wasn’t.
The responses were encouraging
In only 24 hours, I received 50 “likes”, 19 “loves”, 20+ comments, 1 share, and ZERO PEOPLE ARGUING AGAINST MY POINT. In a word, I was stunned.
Here is what I posted
Friends – We don’t all agree on everything. In fact, we share unique opinions on lots of issues. I’m making this request in an effort to do MY PART of being more of the change in the world I want to see:
Stop bashing everybody. Nobody is white/black, gay/straight, American/immigrant, Astros/Dodgers, Christian/atheist/Muslim/Jewish/Buddhist/etc… enough anymore.
Just stop bashing each other. If someone shares their opinion, it is that- their opinion. They are entitled to it the same way you and I are entitled to ours. If you feel compelled, respectfully offer another point of view, and become part of the dialogue.
I am a Christian who loves people of many faiths, orientations, political affiliations, nationalities, races and sports loyalties. None of those people from which I am “different” are a threat to me. In fact, I often learn much from being their friend and listening. I appreciate it when they listen to my perspective, and honor when it doesn’t persuade them to change their stance.
In what appears to be a race to the “lowest common denominator” of mankind, stand tall – be respectful of others – be positive, and most of all….stop being such a jerk to others. Love people. And, yes….I pray for all of us.
You never know the impression you are making on others.
Connection matters
You spend more of your waking hours AT WORK rather than your loved ones.
Your family is yours. Even if your family is responsible for putting the “fun” in “dysfunctional”!
Not everyone with whom you are forced to interact believes what you believe—and that is okay!
Ask any successful person how they achieved success and most will share with you their story. Learn to emulate success without copying.
To find success in any aspect of your life…start by meeting others where they are by:
Being vulnerable, yet empathetic;
Listening more;
Talking less;
Demonstrating your character through your actions.
Allowing others to gravitate toward you, open up, and contribute with their best.
Just jump in!
You can do this. You can do anything! Even survive that one awkward conversation around the holiday turkey this season. In fact, you just might learn something….even if only to validate what you already believed.
How do you constantly strive to connect with others and model the kind of world you wish we lived in? Share your thoughts below!
