“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” – Brene Brown
Seen…heard…valued.
In my mind they are three incredibly powerful words which are the very foundation of all great and long-lasting relationships.
That connection, that energy that two people can share is not something that comes along every day. In fact, I often wonder if there’s a possibility of one day it becoming completely extinct.
I learned a long time ago that relationships (be them plutonic or intimate) require a great deal of effort in order to succeed. They need attention and care in order to develop and flourish into an invaluable resource for the times when you’re feeling on top of the world, or way down at the bottom.
But what I’ve also learned is how prevalent insincerity is in our country today, and how self-serving humanity has become.
I’ve seen people who spend most of their lives living a façade. They speak and act one way in front of people they claim to have a “connection” with, yet behind their backs they’re another, more demoralizing person all together. They’re only interest is not to be a person of character and trust to those looking to be seen, heard and valued, but to do whatever is necessary to secure their own interests.
The older we get, the more difficult it is to find someone who understands the value of a meaningful relationship void of pretense. We sometimes fall prey to those individuals who seemingly “pretend” to be something they’re not – disappointed when reality extinguishes our once high regards. But if you never extend yourself to another human being, you’ll never really know.
Carl W. Buechner remarked, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
And how people want to feel is that they’re seen, heard and valued. There is no imitation or substitution, but I assure you the results are priceless.
