Opening Questions

Posted in podcastTagged , , , , , , ,

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

Recently my daughter, nine-year-old Miss O, and I were at our neighborhood grocery store. When we went through the check out line, Miss O asked the clerk, “How’s your day going?”

The genuine question worked instantly. It was as if a light went on inside the young woman. She answered, “Busy, but in a good way so that the day goes fast.”

Miss O responded, “I like your purple hair.”

It reminded me of a wonderful podcast conversation that Vicki and I recently had with blogger, parent, and social justice advocate, Ab, about finding our people.

Ab tells us the great story of a chance encounter he had with a woman standing next to him and his family in an hour-long line. She led with a query and Ab answered with his trademark humor and openness.

Vicki and I delve into how these encounters can be very different from what we imagine when we genuinely lean into them.

Ab talks about the loneliness epidemic and how the antidote to negative feelings and isolation is connection. While finding your people isn’t always easy, it’s facilitated by having an open-heart.

We explore how sometimes we’re in the prison of our own thoughts and how human connection breaks us out of that loop and facilitates kindness.  

This is such a fascinating episode. I love the kinship we have with Ab. And he’s so good at illustrating how community is where kindness and empathy happens. It’s where we have the opportunity to support each other and create deep relationships.

I’m confident you’ll love the scenic and beautiful places we explore as we share the power of storytelling about finding our people.

We know you’ll love it!

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 95: Finding Our People with Ab

HoTM Episode 95 transcript

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

Sharing the Heart of the Matter Episode 95 show notes

Ab’s Blog: My life with T

Ab’s post: Hiking Takakkaw Falls and Canoeing Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community’s 2023 report “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”  

The Human Library Movement

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith;

(featured photo from Pexels)

47 thoughts on “Opening Questions”

    2. We are social creatures, for sure. Which begs the question: why is it that we so often shut ourselves off to those connections? Why is it that there aren’t more of us making connections like Miss O did?

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Miss O will change the world. It would be nice to hear an expert on the causes of the loneliness epidemic. The Surgeon General might be the person to interview. Really.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I like the idea of finding your tribe, being among people who get you and let you be who you are. Empathy helps connect people, as does speaking the truth. To me those two concepts are intertwined.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I especially feel for the young people who were isolated during the pandemic. My daughter lost a dear friend to suicide and I know he’s not the only one. I’ve heard more than 25% of youth contemplated suicide.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. You’re daughter is so sweet. that much have been so heartwarming! Love the serendipity of the chance meeting so endearing on both ends and the big smiles and hert of Ab’s spirit that shines through with every word!❣️❤️
    `

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Oh man, the double digits. It’s like they’re on the conveyor belt to adulthood after that. So scary! Hold her close while she still lets you! 😛

        Like

  14. Deeper connections need deeper listening skills and with our attention spans reduced from watching short videos and jumping around the internet, our collective attention spans have become significantly shorter, so taking the time and energy needed to keep friendships going is hard for some people at this time. We have also been deluged with so much negative information from around the world that our bandwidth is used up.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Wynne, what better way to kick off this podcast about kindness and human connection then to show how kind your daughter was that day! So sweet of Miss O! “How’s your day going?” I can just see the light go on in that woman because someone actually cared. And that’s really all what people wish for, someone to care that they exist and how they’re feeling. This was such an uplifting podcast and an affirmation of kindness that I needed because I’m feeling like Vicki is, cautious about people for the same reasons. I haven’t met Ab, so it’s nice to meet him through this heartwarming conversation. And Ab, I love how you responded with heart and humor in your chance meeting with that woman. I also loved the reference to Mel Robbins’ quote. Everyone wants and needs human connection at some point in their lives, even those who enjoy their own company. I’m also grateful for this warm blogging community. Thanks to all of you for this enlightening podcast. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. What incredible comments, Lauren! You are so lovely to comment on Miss O as well. Yes, we need to be seen, have that connection and resonate the goodness. Thank you so much for tuning in! So grateful to be connected to you!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. yes, I’ve seen it in action, Wynne. We all want to belong. We all want to be part of a tribe. WordPress helps in this regard. It is a form of connection. The warmth, the feedback —

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Pingback: Hide and Seek – My Life With T

  19. Wynne, thank you for inviting me back to chat with you and Vicki. I enjoyed the conversation as well as the lengthy pre-game we had… a nice way to commiserate a few days after your country’s presidential elections! This month just flew by and hopefully the next 4 years will too! 😂

    I love Miss O’s encounter at the store. She has such a pure heart and kids have this purity in them that I hope we can preserve forever. These small gestures of seemingly simple kindness can go such a long way.

    On our way home from the Taylor Swift concert, we walked by a seemingly homeless man and T was the only person who stopped and said hello to him and waved at him. The smile on the man’s face on this cold night spoke volumes. I treasure that memory because it reminds me that despite his more challenging and disregulated moments, this is who he is at his core.

    I’m thankful for folks like you and Vicki who can see the gift in the seemingly small moments such as my canoe encounter with the Florida couple. Such a gift to view the world with those eyes!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, your comment about these gifts is so right on. In our kids and in each other – when we resonate and remind each other of these things, it creates such goodness. Thank you for being willing to come on – and for your constant kindness and companionship on this journey, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: Showing Up and Telling Stories – Surprised By Joy

Comments are closed.