Make an effort to connect . . . .

In my mind, there is no substitute for an amazing conversation with someone whom you feel a connection. The benefits feed my soul in a way that is irreplaceable. It truly is priceless. I had a lovely conversation with a friend last night about this very topic.........what it means to have meaningful relationships. We both realize the importance of taking a closer look, and making an effort to nurture those connections.  You have to be willing to open your heart, however, to get there. It's easy to make small talk, right? Shallow acquaintances are around every corner, and at every holiday party, but they usually leave us with little or no lasting worth. Healthy, caring relationships can give our lives immeasurable joy and meaning. Like most things with value in life, these relationships must be sought and maintained deliberately. Are you willing to make a conscious effort to develop meaningful relationships? Open your mind to the possibilities! We have a chance to learn something from everyone we meet. What a gift! Life moves so quickly.....so make time for those who make you laugh, pay attention to what they value, then make an effort to connect with them on that level. 

I read an article online about the misnomer of how easy it was to "keep in touch" with people these days on Facebook, via email or texting. But the truth is, it's not the same as real time. Replacing face-to-face or voice-t0-voice time with brief contacts online does not make up for real time together. Reach out. Make the effort to have friends and meaningful relationship. For me, it is the key to my happiness and well being. 

"For those who are willing to make an effort, great miracles and wonderful treasures are in store."

-Isaac Bashevis Singer

A gracious heart . . . .

Hello friends!  May I share something very special with you? I am so incredibly happy to tell you that I was able to spend an evening with someone that I "met" via blogging 3 years ago. I've been following a lovely blog out of South Africa, that is designed and written by Lana Kenney, called lanaloustyle.com..............

Lana is a Cape Town resident, an amazing photographer, a talented designer, and she has a beautiful blog. She is the reason that I am in Cape Town, South Africa at the moment. Lana blogs about her hometown, and the beautiful surroundings in which she lives. She features and photographs hotels, restaurants, shops and the pure beauty of this area. (As I mentioned, she is also a designer, so you will find plenty of beautiful posts on home decor, fashion & color.) Reading her blog was the very reason that I decided to make it a priority to visit Cape Town. 

It is stunning! Its beauty is breathtaking. The people are incredibly kind. The food is exquisite, ........and last night, I had the honor of spending the evening with Lana. She was so gracious to pick us up at our hotel, then accompany us to 2 fabulous restaurants. We went for a sundowner at The Leopard Bar at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. This place is beautiful and has received endless awards. Afterwards we worked our way to Kitima for dinner .... another restaurant that is draped in awards. It was fabulous as well, but getting to know Lana was the bonus. She is truly one of the sweetest people you could wish to meet. It is obvious that she loves her hometown, and enjoys sharing it with the world. So don't be afraid to reach out! You never know when the person on the other end will respond in such a gracious way. 

We talked afterwards, and both realized that we parted without taking a photo. We were so preoccupied, we completely forgot. (I told her it was a sign of a successful evening.) 

When you get a minute, check out Lana's blog.

"If a woman be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows she is a citizen of the world, and that her heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins them."

-Francis Bacon Sr.

Just a side note.......

Earlier this year, I received an email from Groupon Getaways featuring this trip to Cape Town. I immediately contacted Lana about it because I wanted to make sure it was a worthy one. I emailed her, asking her advice on the activities and the accommodations that were being offered in the package. Her quick response made me realize that this was a trip that I didn't want to miss. So at the moment, I'm half way through the most amazing adventure I could imagine. My friend and I were not sure what to expect, but I have to say that our expectations have been exceeded. Groupon was great to work with, answered questions promptly, and even with a sense of humor. We literally saved thousands of dollars on this trip. Check them out!

Friendship? Yes, please. . . .

Somewhere there is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are. Yours is the name they love most. Your face has been memorized, by touch and by sight. Your birthday is a holiday. You are the last thing on their mind at night, and the first thing on their mind in the morning. You are the light of their life, and the most valuable player on their team. Someone keeps the lamp of friendship lit for you, or the home fires burning, or meets you at the airport in the middle of the night, or makes you laugh until your sides ache, or tells you they believe in you before you can even believe in yourself. What an honor to be loved and appreciated by someone who knows you so well. What a joy if he or she is your favorite person, too. 

Somewhere there is someone who dreams of your smile, who finds in your presence that life is worthwhile. So when you are lonely, remember it's true, that somebody somewhere is thinking of you.

-Unknown

From the book 2

by Dan Zadra & Kobi Yamada

Hugging you with my mind today . . . .

{Hugging you with my mind today.}

xo, Connie

What will matter . . . .

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, 

hours or days.

All things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten

will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power 

will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned 

or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations

and jealousies will finally disappear.

So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans 

and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important 

will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from

or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not your success

but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned

but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,

compassion, courage, or sacrifice

that enriched, empowered or encouraged others

to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence

but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,

but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories,

but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered,

by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It's not a matter of circumstance, but of choice.

-Unknown

Photo via Google Images

Photo by Shelbie Dimond via Flickr

Friendships and growth . . . .

Being honest with a friend about a problem between the two of you, and having your thoughts embraced, is probably the most cleansing, wonderful feeling that can take place between two people who love each other. It's never an easy thing to do. As a matter of fact, it's pretty hard. But I've realized that there is nothing more necessary than doing so. Do you have a friend with whom you've been forthright with? Have you felt that once you've gotten to the other side of the conversation, it truly is purifying? Not only that, but at this stage you are allowed to begin again! How great is that? You are allowed a new starting point! It would be wise to remember how precious friendships are, and to remember how few opportunities we have to develop depth with another person. If you've had that chance, cherish it. Nurture it. Value it. Look after it.  Protect it, and realize that those kind of friendships are rare, will never come easy, and should be honored.

Photo via Google Images