Sometimes in life words aren’t necessary.

We often stress about saying the right thing, and yet sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. Sometimes it’s about holding space for another or welcoming their presence. A simple gesture of holding a door or signaling one to enter can be all it takes to make another feel welcome. Isn’t that ultimately what we all want in life? To be welcomed. To feel connected. To be a part of something bigger.

As the year closes, I think back on the connections I had in 2022. While there were moments of great joy in celebrating graduations and weddings, meeting new people, and traveling to new areas, there were also moments of great sadness. I lost two friends this year to cancer. One from college and one I worked with closely for the last 17 years. Many of you knew him too. I’ve experienced heartache and pain in many ways, and yet at year’s end, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the blessings of these relationships in my life.

In June, we were able to open the Center and hold our first in-person group in two years. It’s hard to believe we were closed that long. The pandemic pause, as I like to think of it, forced us to recognize the importance of connection. During that time many people had little to no face-to-face connections. Several of my close friends and family members faced life-threatening illnesses, and because of their weakened immune systems, it limited my ability to see them or to visit unmasked.

New people walk through the ARC doors weekly. Our in-person, and virtual groups, fill quickly and some are booked out many weeks in advance. Why? My guess is we all crave connection in our life. We all have a yearning to be accepted and understood.  

I encourage you to challenge yourself, in a healthy way, to develop new connections this coming year. Join a support group. Attend a faith-based activity. Participate in a book club. Attend a presentation. Discover a new craft. Take a class. Learn a new hobby. Try to remind yourself that it’s not just you that might be looking for a new friendship – someone else might be needing it too. 

“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our life.” – Brene Brown