Connection
BeBestYou Contributor : Bobby Pancake
Pursuit was never intended to be a solo journey. We often spend time thinking about our calling—our purpose, our direction, and the reason behind what we are pursuing. We ask ourselves, “Why am I pursuing this?” But once we begin to understand our why, another important question follows:
Who are we pursuing it with?
None of us got where we are completely on our own, and none of us will get where we are going alone. Somewhere along the way, someone opened a door, taught us something, challenged us, encouraged us, believed in us, gave us an opportunity, or pushed us forward when we needed it most. We need people. And people need us. That is what CONNECTION is really about.
“Connection isn’t simply knowing someone’s name, following them on social media, working beside them, living near them, or seeing them from time to time.”
Real connection requires intention. It means taking the time to know someone's story, understand what matters to them, recognize what they may be going through, and care enough to make a difference in their journey.
In a world where we can communicate with almost anyone instantly, genuine connection can sometimes feel harder to find. We have more ways to stay in touch than ever before, yet being connected is not the same as having a connection. Connection requires presence.
Connection also extends beyond the people we see every day. It reaches into our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities. Know the people around you. Introduce yourself. Shake a hand. Start a conversation. Show up. Serve. Support. Build relationships before you need something from someone. Don't simply live in a community. Become part of it.
The same is true in our professional and personal lives. Whether you're a leader, coworker, coach, teacher, mentor, business owner, parent, neighbor, or friend, take the time to know more about people than what they can do for you. Ask what they're working toward, what they're proud of, what they're struggling with, and what they hope to become. Then ask yourself how you might help them get there.
Connection doesn't mean lowering expectations or avoiding difficult conversations. In fact, genuine connection can make those conversations more meaningful. When people know you care about who they are, not simply what they produce or what they can do for you, trust begins to grow. Connection creates trust. Trust creates understanding. Understanding allows people to move forward together.
But connection also carries responsibility. Ask yourself: Who is better because they are connected to me? Is someone's day brighter because you took a moment to listen? Is someone more confident because you believed in them? Is someone growing because you challenged them? Is someone less alone because you showed up? Is your family, workplace, neighborhood, or community stronger because you are part of it?
Those may be better measures of connection than the number of contacts in our phones, followers on our accounts, or people who know our names. CONNECTION isn't measured by how many people we know. It's measured by the difference we make in the lives of the people we know.
Our CALLING gives us a reason to pursue. Our CONNECTIONS give us people to pursue it with. So keep pursuing. Keep moving forward. Keep becoming the best version of yourself. But as you do, never become so focused on where you're going that you forget about the people traveling beside you.
“One of the greatest measures of our journey isn’t simply how far we go—it’s how many people are stronger, better, and further along because we were part of theirs.”
Taking Action:
REACH OUT — Strengthen One Connection
Choose one person you haven't connected with recently. Call them, send a message, grab a cup of coffee, or simply check in. Don't wait until you need something—connect because they matter.LISTEN — Learn Someone's Story
Have one conversation where your goal is to listen more than you talk. Ask meaningful questions: What are you working toward? What are you excited about? What are you struggling with? Connection grows when people feel seen, heard, and understood. MAKE A DIFFERENCE — Help Someone Move Forward
Identify one person you can encourage, support, challenge, introduce to someone, or help in a meaningful way. Ask yourself: “Who can be stronger, better, or further along because I was part of their journey today?”
