ARE YOU MAKING CONNECTIONS?

Do you know the importance of your words?

Do you know the importance of being able to look at something or someone and being able to find even the smallest thing that you connect to?

Do you know the importance of acknowledging that connection and then speaking it?

Do you know the joy it brings others when they feel that love and connection?

Do you know how important it is to put love and beauty out in the world?

I love that our ability to see connections and beauty and paying attention to everything that surrounds us, and then actively acknowledging it, bridges so many gaps and connects individuals.

I made a conscious effort several years ago to not only see the beauty all around but to comment on it when I do see it. As a simple example, if I liked someone’s earrings while out and about, I started telling them. If I notice something positive in someone’s actions, I try to make a point of acknowledging it. I remember once seeing a woman with a couple young children at the grocery store. We seemed to cross each other’s path several times. I noticed how sweet they all were to each other. And anyone who has had young kids at a grocery store knows it sometimes can be very hard. We ended up walking out at the same time and I mentioned how sweet they all were. And then said I can see what a great mom she is to them. She thanked me and we walked to our cars. Next thing I know she is walking up to me, tears in her eyes, saying how much she needed that. She said the kids were crazy that morning and she felt deflated. My words, only a couple sentences, totally turned her day around. And knowing I helped her made my day in return.

Around that same time that I decided to be more aware of the beauty and positivity around me I was going to a convenient store almost every day to fill up my cup with tiny nuggets of ice and water. I noticed the hustle and bustle of people entering and leaving that convenience store. Some were aware of those around them, but most were in their own world. I decided I was going to continue to say please and thank you and have a great day, etc. BUT I was going to make sure I was looking people in the eye when I did it. Wow, the difference I saw in individuals when I made that effort. Looking someone in the eye and saying thank you as they open the door for you seems so simple, but I literally watched their demeanors soften right in front of me.

Am I perfect at doing all of this? No way. There are times when I am the person out and in my own little world. Sometimes I am better at doing this with strangers than I am with my own family. But I am trying my best to be and do better. And that effort helps me to see even more beauty and connection all around me.

I spoke a little about all of this with a group of friends I meet up with a couple times a month. We get together to help inspire, motivate and grow in our creative endeavors. I asked them to think of creative ways they can spread some love and cheer into their communities and individually. We spoke about making connections like I said above but we also started thinking of some more ways to put love out into the world.

I showed everyone how I made colorful polymer clay hearts. Like painted rocks, they can be left for someone to find, or you can give them to someone specific to give them a little extra love. I love having one in the bottom of my purse to randomly find. Every time I find it, I smile.

Other ideas are sticky notes with uplifting messages randomly left places. Several years ago, I put sticky back googly eyes in magazines in a waiting room at a doctor’s office. Can you imagine finding that? Artist Trading Cards (ATC) left for people to find. How exciting to find a small piece of art while walking at the park. I saw a story where a school had kindergarteners drop wildflower seeds in cracks. Instead of or maybe in addition to weeds growing in those cracks there were flowers for all to enjoy. One of my goals this year is to build a Free Art Library like the free reading libraries. I think it would be so fun to get a bunch of artists together to provide free small art to people in the community. It would be even more exciting to find new art that individuals leave behind.

Whether it is noticing and commenting on the positive you see in others or creatively putting acts of love out into the world, I hope you find ways to see the beauty all around you and make connections. I promise as you do, you will feel that connection and love in return.

Much Love,

Katie