Blog for August 12th 2024
Connections
Last week I talked about refreshing my soul by visiting people I love. Along with that refreshing is also making connections, and not just with loved ones, but with everyone, anyone, someone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow. And I’m certainly not talking about our drug connections either.
Of course, we do that in the program by going to meetings and functions. That’s a great place to make new connections, as well as church, different clubs and organizations that we might attend. But also, with strangers in line at a store, people walking their dogs in the park, and at concerts, functions and holiday festivities. Not to mention, neighbors, the people we live the closest to.
I have always loved making connections with new people. Sometimes, I’ve been in such long lines with a lot of waiting and begin talking to the people in line with me and by the time we get to the event, we feel like old friends and have found several things in common, sometimes, even family ties, that’s crazy huh.
But the best thing about making connections is it makes us feel a part of the world. A part of the greater good and humanity. It can be a balm to my soul. There is something about being social and caring about others that is healing and loving. But in this crazy world, we have so many fears about getting too close to others.
Besides the pandemic and Covid 19 separating us, which was so horrible, we also have terrorist, hate mongers, people with different political views ready to attack those that don’t agree with them. Even religious organizations fight with each other. Most of the wars in ancient times were due to religious differences.
I think that’s why making connections with like minded people in the program is so comforting and rewarding, they let us know we are not alone in this battle with addictions and living life on life’s terms.
Yet, for me, the true connections come more on a spiritual level, where we meet each other with love, respect and caring. I love those kinds of connections. You know how sometimes you can look a person in the eye as they are sharing their hearts pain and discontent. Where they share their desires and wants, their dreams and goals. This is something that often happens in sponsoring.
I believe we should meet people where they are at, inasmuch as it’s possible for us to do so. And if in that meeting space we find our hearts touch one another, well then, we have just made a new connection that may become one of the most dear friendships we’ve ever had.
I met such a lady on an airplane over a year ago and we live very far apart, but we still keep in touch. She is a really awesome, adventurous lady and she wrote a book that I have read. It was about some of her adventures through Alaska. I loved it. I find her to be a real person that has a heart of gold. My kind of people.
I also believe it’s important to continue to nurture and invest in our closest connections. Whether that be a spouse, sibling, children and grandchildren or great friends we’ve met along the way. The people that God places right smack dab in our path.
I hope that you too are making connections, investing in your loved ones and honoring those connections. The only one I find more gratifying than them is my connection to my Higher Power, my God. He’s the one that puts those other connections in our lives anyway.
Question of the Week: Are you making new connections and nurturing the ones you have already?
