It was very nice to reconnect with so many of you again last week! I love that we connect in a way that has no agenda, that the sole purpose is one of listening to each other and helping one another in our different times of need. I was listening to Dr. Brene’ Brown (American professor, lecturer, author and podcast host) the other day and she said something that really struck a chord with me. She said, "when you extract self-worthiness from people you are helping, that’s judgment, but when you help people with the hope that one day you may need help from them, that is connection." I started thinking about this a lot these past few days, and its relationship to not only my intentions for personally helping others, but also the programs and services we deliver throughout DHS.
While so much of what we do, including the help we provide others, is clouded by our beliefs—beliefs that are all wrapped up in our past experience, ancestry, and unconscious biases – wouldn’t it be so much simpler if we only offered help based on a purpose greater than ourselves, and that purpose was solely to make a connection with another human being because some day we too may need that person’s help. On the surface this seems like such a simple concept, but in reality, it will require a whole lot more from each of us. It means that instead of just teaching or attending a class, we take the time to get to know our classmates on a personal level, and we open up about who we are as well as a person. And that our dialogues go beyond listening and instead we discuss with the person across from us how they could help us someday to overcome a challenge we are facing. Or that after a peaceful protest, we sit down with each other and have a conversation that allows us to find ways to support each other that go beyond simply carrying a sign for a day.
We have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in so many people’s lives…it all begins with making that one connection, with the only hope and intention that someday, when you need that person, he/she too will be there for you.
Thank you for being there for me…it’s always a pleasure to connect with you on such a personal level!