connection
Elizabeth Zerk
cultural exchanger. storyteller. connector.
Elizabeth Zerk founded Upon Return, an organization dedicated to supporting the alumni of high school exchange programs and promoting cultural exchange. She’s also dedicated to the art of storytelling. http://uponreturn.org
Here in the third decade of my life, I feel like I’ve created a lot of meaningful connections. Connecting with a few really great friends, in friendships I know will last a lifetime, is more meaningful to me than having 100 people know me, but not know me well. Maintaining the quality of my connections is very important to me, though it’s sometimes a struggle.
I’m self-aware enough to know that it’s very difficult for me to get out of a self-criticizing mind-set and reconnect, to not judge myself, and to realize that the world doesn’t judge me. When I feel myself spiraling down, I usually make a strong effort to reach out to someone I feel safe with. Usually, they help me find the confidence and buoyancy to reach out again … and again.
There’s a high level of intuitive intelligence in a lot of the people I’ve met. It’s obvious when I meet them – there’s a buzzing feeling when I’m around them, a recognition, and that becomes part of me. It’s like a shared recognition of spirit. We like being around those people because they make us curious and make us want things we hadn’t previously thought about.
I’m really interested in personally expanding my knowledge of whatever I choose to learn about – not from books, but from experience. I’m conscious and aware of the good and bad things that happen to me, and I allow those things to be experienced so I can broaden my self-knowledge.
As humans, we’re constantly trying to learn new things. Connecting through a sense of intuition – having that buzzing feeling we get around other people when we’re recognizing spirit – gives us shared experience and a kind of intelligence.
- Elizabeth Zerk
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Today's Poll
When was the last time you sat down with someone and listened to their stories?
Our Take
connection • Two hands. One heart.
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