Are You Actually Connecting? - episode 212
He wants us to stay connected, to take the time to have conversations because they are meaningful and deepen our relationships. We had Chris Burnett on the show just a few weeks ago but I invited him back because he is turning his passion into purpose. He has set aside May 6 - 12 and named it Conversations Week. Chris has invited us all to reach out to someone to reconnect, invite them out or call them on the phone. Let them know you want to catch up and find out how they are, showing them that they are important to you. You get to remind them of their worth, and in that, you will feel yours.
And so we officially begin our fifth season with this episode!
Chris has been on the podcast before in The Conversations Movement.
Perfection is impossible. Chill out a little bit.
— Chris Burnett, advice to his 10-year old self
The Real Thing is Better
Thoughts from Are You Actually Connecting?
I was quick to participate in Conversations Week for a few reasons. I enjoy encouraging people, I love to collaborate, and it was a good excuse to get in touch with someone. While there were a few people that came to mind, I decided to get in touch with Bonnie Throckmorton. We met several years ago in New York at a conference through the work we were both doing for a children’s theater company. She in Idaho, and me in San Diego. You know how you just click with some people right away? Well, that was definitely the case with her.
She was interested in the work I was doing partnering with schools, bringing programs for their students after school or even during the school day. I’d been at it for some years and other branches were interested in replicating the efforts. After the conference, Bonnie came to San Diego and shadowed what we were doing. A friendship began to develop as we discovered we had more things in common. I learned about a community college in her area of Idaho that offers housing for its students. I was all over that as we had one last kid at home who was ready to fly the coop.
Ron and I visited the campus with Taylor (yes, she’s the last child), and we all loved it. A small campus on a lake, absolutely beautiful. Taylor became friends with Bonnie’s daughter and they were both accepted. They moved into the dorms that fall. The friendship with Bonnie continued. We got to know her family: husband Chris and their three other children. Taylor ended up moving back home after the semester as it hadn’t quite worked out. I think it was a timing thing, and that is definitely another blog.
Idaho was in the rearview mirror, and I was a bit sad we would not be spending regular time there. Even so, Bonnie and I stayed in touch. Shortly thereafter, Bonnie and Chris moved their family to Oklahoma. They sought new opportunities and have not been disappointed. They are all flourishing. They haven’t been to San Diego and we’ve never been to Oklahoma but who knows? In the meantime we are content to stay in touch via phone calls. For anyone of a certain age, “long-distance” phone calls were not free so it was a big deal to call someone because it cost a pretty penny. (Yep, I said that, and its origins date back to 1710 I quickly found out. And no. I’m not that old. Honestly it’s probably something my grandmother said, and for that it’s a sweet memory.)
I made a point to call Bonnie to get caught up. We hadn’t talked in a while and it was lovely to connect. I couldn’t wait to find out how everyone was doing. I asked about each member of her family, each kid, her husband, work, and then her. I guess you could say I saved the best for last but that’s only from my perspective as my friendship is with her. I care about her loved ones because she does, so in relationship to her. I think that’s kind of how we feel about people. And I do enjoy hearing how others are doing: being excited for their successes, saddened by any disappointments, always looking for something uplifting to offer.
I know Bonnie and I will stay connected. It only takes a few minutes to reach out and visit, ask each other questions. Laugh, cry and everything in between if it’s warranted. I want to do more of that, not less. Give your thumbs a rest. The real thing is so much better.
Connection is as crucial as breath.
— RCN
Bonnie and me
