Making Connections

One of my middle school Humanities teachers used to enforce a simple but effective rule.

Throughout the course—covering History, Social Studies, and English Literature—any time we spotted a strong or unique connection between topics or themes, we were instructed to raise our hand and point it out.

Points earned: candy. (Hence the name: Connections Candy.)

This sweet and sugary learning device has stuck with me for years.

What it taught me in school—and what it continues to teach me in life—is that we are all interconnected on a large scale. It shows how great leaders were inspired by others, or how artists reference previous works as their muse.

Without connection, we wouldn't have melting pots, musical mashups, fashion collabs, or fusion restaurants.

Today, always be on the lookout for ways to connect and combine “like items.”

When you see a problem or an opportunity, realize it’s often similar to ones you or others have faced before. How did others do more with less resources? Or what can we learn from their experiences? Our own experiences?

There's always a way to connect yourself to history or the world at large, even if it isn't obvious at first. People with the same hopes, dreams, and motivations. Those with the same skillsets or limitations. Those in history books or in your daily lives.

For most people, this is helpful. For most artists, this is inspiration.

Connecting is a form of creation—like neurons firing in a brain. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and the more chances for a ‘destiny’ to be fulfilled.

And it’s not just about external connections…

Recognize patterns in your own thoughts and feelings, and see how they relate to your actions.

When you notice recurring thoughts and actions you want to change, simply connecting those moments in your mind is an important first step to figuring out "why?” and “how?”

Sure, you’ll eventually want to do something about it. But the first and easiest step is just making the connection. That’s enough for now.

And for that, you deserve a piece of candy.

-EKS