Written by Sierra Yamasaki
Seen on page 52 of the February '22 Issue
Photographed by Caitlyn Raymond | Modeled by Luke Prothero and Lina Missin
Connection. When people hear this word, it brings different feelings to different people. Some think of loving friends and family while, for other people, it can bring sadness or even pain because of past experiences. Other people can be somewhere in the middle of the two.
For many people, connection is a good thing. They think of good friends and loving family. Whoever they have a connection with, they know that the other person will be there and have their backs no matter what life might bring. They know that these people will be in their in the good, the bad, and the ugly, which is what should happen when you have a connection with somebody.
For others, however, the thought of connection can bring sadness or even pain. These feelings usually occur for two main reasons. The first is that someone (or even multiple people) that they had a connection with died. This can bring a sadness or even fear when they think or hear of connection. The second is that somebody they believed they had a connection with hurt them. This can bring a host of things: sadness, pain, fear, and even a cynical view of connection.
Those who have a fear of connection many times wonder why they need to develop connections with people. Albert Schweitzer said, “Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” This is why connection is important and needed. I can say from experience that this is true. I have always struggled with connection. I was one of those people who fear connection because I’ve been hurt many times, but at the times where I have reached my lowest (kinda like my light going out), it was my friends, my connections that I had pushed away, who brought my flame back. Connection can be hard, but it is very important.
Another reason that connection is important is because it gives our lives meaning. It gives our lives a purpose when we have people that we are connected with because it makes it so that we want to do things, and we want to live our lives in such a way that we don’t hurt or disappoint those who we have a connection with. Brene Brown said, “Connection is why we’re here: it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” She couldn’t have been more right about that.
No matter your view/feelings on connection, connection is important and needed. Connections can light our flame when it has been blown out, and it gives our lives a meaning and a purpose. If you are a person who thinks of great friends and a loving family when you hear/think of connection, do not let that change; however, if you are a person who fears connection, do not let that keep you from building connections. Take your time, get to know a person and slowly build the connection over time, but do not block yourself from making connections. Good connections are too important to block yourself from.