Okay, so, the other day I was thinking about how important it is to connect with people, you know? Like, really connect. It’s not always easy, but it’s so worth it. So I started this little experiment, calling it “a bid for connection.”
I started noticing all these little moments, these “bids” as I began to call them. Like, my wife coming home after a long day at work. I used to just nod and go back to my phone. But now, I put the phone down, looked her in the eyes, and asked her about her day. Really listened, you know? It’s a small thing, but it makes a difference.
There are so many other moments like that. Like when I wake up, I try to have a little chat with my wife before we get caught up in the day. Instead of just rolling out of bed, I turn to her, ask how she slept, you know, the normal stuff. It’s nice. It starts the day off on the right foot.
- And it’s not just with my wife.
- I tried it with my friend, too.
- He texted me a joke the other day.
- Normally, I’d just send back a “haha” or something.
- But this time, I called him up.
- We ended up chatting for like half an hour.
- It was great!
Of course, sometimes you can’t always drop everything. Like, the other day, my boss asked me to look at something right when I was in the middle of another project. I couldn’t just stop what I was doing, but I made sure to acknowledge him. I said something like, “Hey, I’m swamped right now, but I’ll definitely check it out as soon as I can.” He seemed to appreciate that.
And you know what’s really got me thinking? My kid mentioned some other dad was at his game. Now, I wasn’t there. Work’s been crazy. But instead of getting defensive, I just listened. I asked him about the game, about his friend. It was a good conversation. It made me realize I need to be more present, you know? Even when I’m busy, taking time for my kid shows him he is valued.
It’s like, every time someone reaches out, they’re giving you a chance to connect. A smile, a laugh, a real conversation. That’s a chance for connecting. It feels good to connect like that, to really see people and be seen by them.
My takeaway from all this?
These small moments, they really add up. It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about showing up, paying attention, and letting people know you care. It’s about accepting those bids for connection and making a few of your own. It makes life a whole lot richer, you know?
