Connections and Re-connections.

I recently reconnected with a community with whom I had lost touch. Good people all, with shared interests and similar values. But for a number of reasons, I was no longer in contact.

Last month, I decided I needed to reconnect, and so I reached out to a couple of them. Boy, am I glad that I did!  It has been fantastic, and I have truly realised how much I value their friendship, and all that comes along with that. These are dark times, as we all know, but their mentoring, encouragement and support has really lifted my mood.

I have another, smaller community. A bunch of guys with whom I catch up weekly.  We have a chat, tell tall tales, poke fun at each other, and generally laugh a great deal - all over a couple of pints.

These connections are important. I spend a lot of time working from home, faceless behind a computer screen.  I mostly communicate with others through email and messaging, and so I live a lot inside my own head. I need to be social with others, I need to talk and to learn and to laugh. And to share.

I am grateful for these people, these wonderful people who provide me the opportunities to do so. The calm my mind, bring me inner peace.  And I hope in some small way I contribute to their wellbeing.

A Two Way Street?

There's no denying the value in networking and making contacts.

As a high school teacher and career advisor, I often advise my students to ask friends, family members and acquaintances for help when trying to find part-time jobs. But recently someone pointed out that too many people 'collect' contacts. They collect names and business cards and are ready to utilise (exploit?) these people when needed.

Networking is a matter of building relationships, and like any relationship you need to work at it, you need to give as well as take, and you need to value and honour it.

I've recently had some great things happen, both directly and indirectly through contacts, but in each of these situations the opportunity was completely unexpected. I firmly believe they resulted because I'd worked at maintaining the relationship.

Give as much as you hope to receive.