Connecting is our ability to identify and relate with people in such a way that it increases our influence with them.” Dr. John Maxwell
Life is so busy. We have things to do and places to go. It seems that we are always on the go. We have deadlines to meet and quotas to beat. All these fun and exciting things are great. However, there are times they can preoccupy our minds and hearts so much that we forget to take time to focus on the things that matter most.
My wife and I took time last weekend to visit some relatives in Atlanta because a daughter of my wife’s niece had a special occasion. Several people on both sides of her parents traveled from far to gather together and celebrate this special moment with her. We had a great time together. We played with the children. One child who was only 7 asked me when I was going to come again after I told him I was leaving the next day. He added, “Can you come back tomorrow?” It was a precious time as we love to play and interact with the little ones.
Yesterday I flew from Atlanta to Utah. It was a long day. On the flight from Las Vegas to Utah, I sat by a gentleman. He was on his way to visit someone he has not seen for over 18 years. He was excited and at the same time nervous. He said “I am not sure how to react when I get there.” I responded, “It is going to be okay. You have answered the call. You are here. Just go with your heart.” It would be a hard thing for anyone if you have not seen a member of your family for that long.
It does not matter how long it has been since we connected with a friend or a member of our family, we can start today. We can initiate the reconnection. We can light the flame. We can start from the heart and the mind will follow. We can just start. It is never too late. But we may not have tomorrow. Today is the day.
During the presentation today at Corporate Alliance, on the subject Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, a participant shared this quote with us. This is one of her favorite quotes and has written almost everywhere in her home so she can remember it. The quote happens to be one of my favorites as well. It is from someone who has lived a life that exemplified this quote. Thomas S. Monson, former president of the LDS Church, stated, “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to beloved.” How powerful and true this statement is! Its wisdom is something that we all need. It applies in any relationship; marriage, raising children, serving in the community, working with customers and co-workers, and in connecting with other human beings. Life is all about people. What we do to connect with them and the way we do it make a huge difference.
Do you have someone in mind that you need to connect or reconnect with? Make a plan. Fix a time. Make an appointment with yourself and do it. After you have done, if you feel incline to share the results with us, we invite you to do so. But just do it because it is the right thing to do. Share with us some of the things you do to connect with people and let them know you value them.
If you like this post, I invite you to take a moment to share it with people in your circle of influence. Click on the picture to share your thoughts in the comment field below.
Thank you for your time!!! Illens Dort – authour of Thinking and Acting with a Compassionate Heart. To buy a copy go to https://www.amazon.com/author/Illensdort.