“Fueled by Connection”
Notes. Drawings. Ideas. Poems. Plans.
My desk and bookshelves are piled high with scattered thoughts and incomplete journals I’ve collected over the years. I’ve tucked them away—meticulously and purposefully—to collect dust.
When I was a younger version of myself, I was an avid writer. Expression through writing, communicating, and exchanging ideas with another person made me feel free. It energized me. It was one of the few things that made sense in a world that often didn’t.
But life has a way of throwing wrenches at our spirit and breaking us open. Sometimes we find ourselves building reinforced walls around the parts of us that were meant to be shared.
Sometimes, the pieces of our life we once planned for—pieces we spent precious time and energy building—can shatter around us in a million tiny fragments.
It’s in those moments that what we choose to do next defines us.
It’s in the rebuilding.
For me, True North was a product of that rebuilding.
The Spark
Ever since announcing the “soon to be launch” of our blog on our social media page six months ago, I’ve been thinking about writing. Since then, this blog has lived only in the corners of my mind—not a single word of it making its way onto a page.
What I truly wanted to say showed up at the most inconvenient times—while I was in the shower, driving, or washing dishes. Throughout the day, I’d jot notes into my phone as I hurried to the next task on my to-do list. Those notes were quickly forgotten, thoughts never able to reach their full potential.
This was my daily cycle— until Thanksgiving morning, when I received a notification in my inbox titled “BLOG.” And everything changed.
They say writing is a “window to the soul.” No wonder it’s difficult for so many of us.
After reading Dan’s blog post, Getting Uncomfortable, I knew I had two choices:
Lean into my own fear and vulnerability, get uncomfortable, and write the next post, or
Continue to push it aside—resulting in endless “what ifs” and a constant loop of unwritten thoughts in my head…. Or my notes.
My choice was clear. I chose to lean in.
And inconveniently, while peeling a mountain of sweet potatoes, the words returned to me—and this time, instead of disappearing into the abyss, they stayed.
The Power of Connection
The power and simplicity of connection revealed themselves in a single communication exchange within our company. It made me reflect on how opportunities for connection—whether in work or in our personal lives, positive or uncomfortable—shape the outcome of our days, and each others, more than we realize.
Connection is the heartbeat of who we are—as a team, a family, and a community. And like fear, we have a choice: to foster opportunities for connection or to turn away from them.
Whether it’s finally sending that email you’ve been meaning to send, choosing to strengthen a relationship at work, or deciding to mentor someone—our daily interactions and the ability we have to influence- holds the power to impact someone’s life.
Our ability to connect is reflected in the words we choose to use, the way we handle our emotions, and the space we hold for each other.
It’s in our capacity to value and respect one another—even if those emotions are not expressed outwardly, but simply reflected in the posture of our hearts.
Connection is the place where genuine authenticity flows, creativity blossoms and we discover (or rediscover) our purpose.
It’s where our stories merge, where growth happens, and where beautiful things are built.
Connection is where we come back to life.
Reflection:
What does authentic connection feel like to you? How does it fuel you?
