Connecting

Chris and I sat facing one another, sipping big mugs of steaming tea, and covering every subject under the sun. It had been awhile since we’d met one on one, and somehow, especially in the wake of Covid’s singular isolation, it felt more important than ever to really look at one another– to listen and be listened to.

At one point in our conversation, Chris said offhandedly, “you are such a connector”. And in my typical, midwestern way, I said “oh, not that much”, downplaying the compliment, as we so often do. “No really!” Chris said. And I paused and took a moment to look at myself honestly. I do connect people and situations, in fact, I really love doing it.

How often is it that we think about the women we know with compassion and deep gratitude, but neglect the voicing of those compliments? I’m talking about shining a light on the strength and wisdom of those around us and saying it out loud. And how often is it that we brush compliments from the hands offering them to us, rather than absorbing the kindnesses and letting them shine through us?

I challenge you in this new year.

When you see strength in the women around you, say it out loud. Let it hover in the air above you. Let the strength of connectedness gather a strength of its own. Let us strengthen one another–and ourselves.

Today, thousands of women will head out into the streets around the world to speak aloud the cry for power over our own bodies. It is a day of connectedness. Let our strengthening of one another strengthen the world.