MOMENTS OF CONNECTION

 My blog doesn't have a cohesive structure yet. I have an idea around a series I might do called MOMENTS OF CONNECTION.

Once upon a time, I read somewhere about the power of affirmations. We affirm our beliefs every day but how often do we check in consciously with the thoughts behind those beliefs? For example, if we believe that it's going to be a bad day at work, then we subconsciously put out the energy to attract things that contribute to that mindset. We look for confirmation to prove that it was indeed a bad day. But what if we shifted the affirmation? Instead, saying something like I am grateful for the growth from the learning experiences today or I am choosing to make the most out of everything that comes my way today. Instead of conflict, we see opportunity. Instead of feeling out of control, we take back our power and do what we can with the tools we have available. 

Believe me, I know these practices are easier read than done. But I can also attest to the power of positive affirmations. If I feel particularly stagnant in something like social connection, I think of ways to spin my frustration into opportunity. Instead of saying it's so hard to make new friends in a new place, I might say I am open to the ways I could make friends in a new place. Instead of I am lonely, I might say I am connected to everything around me.


So, for my MOMENTS OF CONNECTION blogs, I'd like to share ways I was surprised by other people in my everyday world. In doing this, I hope to affirm that good things are happening to me. 

Backstory: I am a part of a large, online writing group that takes classes for 10-week sessions at a time. Naturally, we bond through our writing and sharing of the writing, but also to the faces behind the writing. I wrote in a previous blog about having more time on my hands, well that's because I am no longer employed. One of the first things I did was cut back on excess expenses, including my beloved writing classes. Cut to a moment of connection: I received an email from one of my writing peers, disappointed when she heard I wouldn't be in the next session of classes but then hit me with an offer to pay for our next session! Let me clear when I say I feel icky asking for help and forever indebted if I receive any help. She and I have never met in person and only know each other through the Zoom lens but she felt inclined to support my writing career. Her email was an unexpected moment of connection. <3

Backstory: I'm not a fan of grocery shopping. Let me explain why. I don't like the crowdedness around the produce section or the forced eye contact that comes when you or another customer needs to shimmy their cart out of the way for the other person. And worst of all, getting stuck going down the same aisles with the same stranger, like you're stalking them from canned goods to frozen foods. Do you say hi each time you see each other? Do you ignore that the person in front of you is the exact person who was in front of you one aisle ago? Too much stress for me. Alas, I still do grocery shopping in person. I like to pick out my own produce and I am the shopper that hunts for deals, last minute clearance, etc. Cut to me at Costco on a Tuesday night. I figured the odds of the store being less crowded than usual were in my favor. And they were, I was able to cut through sections quickly, grabbing my 4 items (yes only 4 this time) in just under 15 minutes. Insert two separate moments of connection here. 1. A lady who I hadn't noticed down any of the aisles stops me to tell me how much she loves my glasses. She wore a big smile and made eye contact which told me she meant it. 2. I am heading to the self-checkout line when a male voice yells, I LOVE YOUR GLASSES. Mind you, these are not new glasses. They are cool but I don't often think of them as talking points. The man that yelled was one of the workers serving up samples at a table. I replied with a quick thanks, appreciate that. But he wanted to know where I got them, how much were they, how do I spell the website. So, I laughed and pulled my cart back and answered all his questions. Two unexpected moments of connection from complete strangers. 

For reference, these are the glasses: Coxon Aviator Golden Black Full Rim Eyeglasses | EyeBuyDirect



    

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