Connecting With Others

Making connections with others is not only vital to your growth, it largely determines how much you can-and will- enjoy your life. If you don't have caring, giving relationships with others, not only are you being robbed of one of life's greatest pleasures, but you're also robbing others of the benefit and growth they would enjoy by interacting with you. At a minimum, you can find time to lend a listening ear or just be supportive-you never know what kind of impact you can have in someone's life. None of us can ever calculate the impact we have on the world.

There is a story about a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming. One day as he was negotiating a narrow, rut-filled road that went past a muddy bog, he heard someone screaming for help. Dropping his load, he ran to the bog where he found a terrified boy waist deep in the mud and struggling to free himself. Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow death.

Days later, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's humble abode. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," said the farmer, waving away the offer. At that moment Fleming's own son came to the door. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. "I'll make you a deal. Let me provide your son with the same education my son will have. If your boy is anything like you, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we can both be proud of."

Fleming could not resist that offer. His son attended the very best schools and in time graduated from St. Mary's Medical School in London, later becoming well known throughout the world as Sir Alexander Fleming-the man who discovered penicillin.

Years later the nobleman's son, the one saved from the bog, was stricken with pneumonia. Penicillin saved his life. The nobleman was Lord Randolf Churchill, his son, Sir Winston Churchill.

Never underestimate the worth of your caring attitude. The whole world could change because of your single action. Don't be so busy that you can't take time to reach out and connect with others. It's easy to get in the habit of staying home and watching TV, but it's disastrous to your social life-so get out and visit places where you can do what you enjoy. Go to libraries and bookstores, take an
exercise class, or join a chess or gardening club. Get out there and share your skills, interests, experiences, hard- won knowledge, specialties, talents, and heart with others.

When you are feeling down, sad, or worried, try not to be alone. Call a friend and be open about needing someone to talk to or be with. This will help stop the downward emotional spiral. It takes a lot of trust for you to be that open and honest, but it is worth it. Loneliness can destroy your physical and mental health and happiness.