Why Human Connection Matters

"I believe when the dust settles, we will realize how very little we need, how very much we actually have, and the true value of human connection." @becomingminimalist

Human connection is indeed a currency that appreciates with time, rather than depreciating. Building better and more satisfying human connections at every stage of life involves intentionality, openness, and adaptability. Here's some of what I've learned that demonstrate the value and importance of human connections.

Practice Active Listening. Talk less and listen more. My late mother used to say that "you can't listen if your mouth is going." By showing a genuine interest in other people by listening attentively, I've fostered deeper connections by demonstrating that I hear their perspective. Doesn't mean that I always agree, however, it certainly helped me to pay attention to the other persons words. Has given me much greater insights.

Be Present. Our hyper-paced world can be utterly overwhelming with distractions. Alerts on the phone, breaking news on the television, social media feeds filled with all kinds of stuff that might be entertaining to watch at the time, but can take you down the rabbit hole of doom scrolling. Just check the settings on your phone for screen time, if you don't believe me. As much as I enjoy the conveniences of my phone, I am keenly aware of how intrusive it can be. Traveling to Europe earlier this year, I had an opportunity to really slow down and savor moments of just being. These blissful moments didn't make sense to anyone but me. I'll opt for more of this.

Express Gratitude and Appreciation. I kept a gratitude journal for about two years and it was startling as to how it changed my outlook. The smallest things became big things. Saying a simple thank you, greeting someone with kindness, receiving an unexpected compliment or asking the person who serves you in a restaurant how their day is going, went a long way in creating positive vibes. Acknowledging how hard someone is working in places where people aren't typically "seen" was often reciprocated with a smile.

Engaging in Shared Activities. This was a big one for me. Getting out of my comfort zone to learn something new, travel to a distant place or participate in activities with people I didn't know were more enjoyable than I'd hoped for. My smile is my calling card and it has opened doors in places I only dreamed about. Some of these shared experiences created indelible memories that I wouldn't have had if I said no.

Little did I know that I'd fully appreciate languages other than English. Taking lessons with my twin sister and an experienced French teacher, Penelope Lespinasse (www.thefrenchteacher.net) not only enabled me to refresh college French in order to travel confidently to France, but it significantly helped me in learning and speaking Italian on a trip to Italy this past spring. Che sorpresa!

Being Open to Meeting New People. I've learned to approach new connections with an open mind, lest I stay in the background. I attended events, social gatherings or community activities, and traveled abroad, often with butterflies in my stomach, but with a belief that I just might have a life changing experience. And, I did. Many people I've met over the years have been downright extraordinary human beings who've graciously shared their unique insights and experiences. The complexity of human beings continues to fascinate me.

Adapting to Life Stages. This has been an ongoing evolution as I'm learning to accept and adapt to growing older. Which means understanding that demands on my time and availability are changing and being flexible allows me to cultivate relationships despite new challenges.

Seeking Supportive Communities. Through my work or volunteer activities over the years, I've been able to engage with people who have shared interests, including, advocacy work for the Alzheimers Association and National Association of Women Business Owners. My love of food and ownership of an artisan food company has brought me into Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international organization of 2600 women in culinary, beverage, hospitality and agriculture. The Cleveland Chapter, of which I'm President, has provided me with unparalleled opportunities to support the growing legion of women owned businesses in northeast Ohio, as well as contribute to transforming our collective business wisdom into community growth. We are a small yet mighty group of talented and dedicated women who are planting seeds for trees we may not see, in cultivating the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. www.ldeicleveland.org.

Connecting Through Food. My earliest food memories date back to standing on a chair to help make chocolate chip cookies, turning the paddle on an old fashioned ice cream maker, and pulling homemade taffy with my grandmother. I learned to love food by growing vegetables (mostly tomatoes) in a garden, visiting local farms for fruits and vegetables, dairy farms for milk and fishing with my Dad (he did most of the fishing). My adult years were filled with all kinds of food adventures in New York City. Along the way I became one heck of a good scratch cook, often with the assistance of family and friends.

As a transplanted New Yorker, I've become part of a special community of food enthusiasts (as my friend Lisa Sands likes to say) in northeast Ohio. Its here where I was introduced to the many flavors of pierogis, Slovenian sausage, paczki, all manner of fermented foods (thanks to Jeremy Umansky, owner of larder delicatessen, the best biscuits from The Roaming Biscuit, exquisite bonbons from Sweet Bean Candies, French press coffee (thank you Tony DiCorpo from Troubadour Coffee), and fresh picked fruits and vegetables from local farms that rival none. Visiting farmers markets and local farms is something I look forward to. I learn something new and usually can't wait to get into my kitchen to try a new ingredient or a recipe that was shared with me. My local food advocacy shares the stories of the people and their businesses which feed this community.

Staying Positive. Remaining positive is something I strive to do. At times, this has been really tough when the going gets rough. Learning not to take things personally, understanding what I truly can control, and maintaining healthy boundaries with people and situations are the armor I stand behind. As a recovering news junkie, I no longer feel the need to hear every breaking development. The television news hasn't been on in my house since Election Day. This has contributed to a much calmer and positive state. I can vividly recall the day back in 1980 that CNN launched a 24-hours news network thinking who would want to listen to the news this way? And here we are.

Thoughts for a New Year. I'm not a resolution maker. Last year, I stepped W-A-Y out of my comfort zone to travel, meet new people, learn new skills and push myself beyond what I thought was possible. I'm grateful for the many human beings and their connections that continue to surround me. Sounds like a good way to start a New Year.