Listen for connections

Writer C.S. Lewis said, "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."

Yes! I just love those times of discovery when we find commonalities, don't you? It's such a sweet moment.

Although each one of us is unique, and there's no one exactly like us on the entire planet, we share many traits, experiences, thoughts and feelings with others. And it's always exciting to see what connects us. Goodness knows, we all too easily can find those things that separate and divide us. And is it my imagination, or does there seem to be more of that going around these days than ever before? Too many people are shouting at each other across what seems to be a huge chasm. When we stop to really listen to one another, we often find more that connects us than that which divides us.

Particularly when we've had a tough experience, it's so heartening to find someone else who's also going through the same thing or something similar. We think we're the only one—only to discover support and wisdom through a connection with another. How sweet that is. And, yes, friendship is born at that moment.

Listen for those moments. And treasure them.