Networking

He phoned a friend. Out of the blue. The call was answered. Small talk lasted only a bit. ‘I need some help. Can you talk with me a while?”

The friend replied, “Sure? I have time right now. What’s the problem?”

“I’m down, blue. Frustrated and feeling hopeless. A lot hopeless, really.”

“Why is that? Especially now during the Holidays?”

“Oh, there are a lot of reasons, and then some aren’t as good as others. I don’t know. I don’t have a good answer right now.”

And so it began. Unloading a burden of hurt by one friend to another. Vague feelings shared with attempts to clarify and articulate the issues better. One person in pain, the other helping to ease that pain. Just by spending some time with him. Just listening and processing words. Helping the other person pull out feelings and thoughts. Together making sense of the fuzzy world of feelings.

The core of this conversation is buried deep. One person knows he is not alright and cannot deal with it alone. He must reach outside of himself. He needs contact with the other. Best if that other pays attention, truly hears the request for help. Recognizes it.

Whether this is personal or merely a transaction of practical matters, the connection is important. The vitality and authenticity of the connection allows communication to happen between the two people. Only then can true sharing happen. In the middle of a normal day or in crisis, the cue for help is in the chosen words and inflection.

An understanding friend ponders solutions and suggestions to the friend in need. They might even trade contacts with others with similar experiences. Perhaps those connections would be helpful? One doesn’t know until the suggestions are tried.

With that a network begins. Similarly, it will spread to more players. Soon helpful solutions are shared and absorbed, understood, and implemented. Feedback may show what worked and what did not. Communications continue and the network is proven or amended for accuracy of expectation. It will be used again. For others. With others.

I think networking is taken for granted. We use them more than we realize. Some people are hesitant to engage the network for whatever reasons. If they try it they the results will probably please them. Surprisingly efficient and helpful. No contracts. No obligations. Just sharing.

Somehow this makes us whole. Our community web expands its knit.

Something to be grateful for. Reach out and be heard. Answer the call to hear. Now be one to the other.

December 23, 2020