The last article that I composed, entitled “It’s Time to Disconnect” is about a day in age in which we are more connected than ever yet painfully disconnected. We have a world of information at our fingertips, instant communication and with all that, the ability to hold a real conversation with other people in public is going the way of the Dodo. After finishing the article, I battled with myself for two weeks to rewrite it; I felt that it had more of a negative connotation than I typically put out. Ultimately, three weeks later, I published the article as I had originally written it.
In all of the disconnectedness of my last article, there is hope. Let’s be honest, there’s always hope! No matter what our situation. At the very least, there is something to learn. In this article, I will talk about many things but much will be about friendship and connections.
As far back as I can remember, I have had friends. The first friends that I recall are incredible individuals and brothers, Bryan and Jon Fisher. We grew up neighbors on Main Street of Zelienople. Times were different then and growing up in Zelie, we could play outside with no fear for our safety. I was playing in the sandbox when a kid around my age climbed over the fence to join me. That kids was Bryan Fisher. I believe we met when Bryan was 4, I was 3, and Jon was 2; apologies if I have that slightly off!
We were thick as thieves, running around the streets of Zelie like we owned them. We would play football in the “Big Back Yard” with our other brothers, camp out in our club house, run all around the town, park and pool. Alas, we never truly know where this journey of life will lead us. We have always remained friends even if we don’t see or talk with each other as often these days.
This past Friday was my daughter Peyton’s birthday. As a family, we all went down to Gulfport Friday afternoon. We went out to dinner to celebrate P’s birthday. After dinner, we walked around the town; if you’ve never been to Gulfport, it is a beautiful little town. We made our way up to one of my favorite spots, Low Tide Kava Bar. Another great fact of that night was that Jon and his band Monallo were performing on the Stage outside of Low Tide. It was incredible as he always is!
I was able to hug my long-time friend that I hadn’t seen in a while and it was as if we were kids playing in that sandbox again. Things change, we change, but we always have that connection. I was able to watch him with our families and take in the moment. Jon wished P a happy birthday and the next morning while P was taking a shower, she lined up all the shampoo bottles and started drumming. I asked her “P, what are you doing?” and her response was priceless. She smiled at me and yelled “I’m Jonny Fish!”
That being said, our connections run deeper than we’ll ever know. In a time where our connectedness has caused a disconnection, there is always the hope that past connections and new connections will bring us forward in this beautiful journey called life.
Jon and I have been connected for as long as I can remember, and that connection will only get stronger. Now to shine a little light on a new connection.
One Friday fairly recent, I sat down at Ohana Coffee Kava Tea. The bar was crowded that day and I sparked up a dialogue with the guy next to me. I was making a “Pain Bomb” with some essential oils (message me for the recipe) which intrigued him. I swung back into Ohana that Saturday morning with the family and there he was again. That guy is Fabiano Manino and we always have great conversations. Fabiano is a deep individual and by that I mean there are many parts to him. He is ever growing and learning, and he is doing great things with that. Fabiano recently started a Conscious Men’s movement and is finding out where it’s leading him. It’s a newer connection that feels like it’s been there forever.
Another connection we have at Ohana is Rich. Rich and I instantly started to have great dialogue. A fun fact about Rich is that he did not like hugs, at all. I’m a hugger and would always hug Rich when I saw him. He even told me a little way down the road that when I first hugged him he was like “oh no!” but hugged out of courtesy. Fabiano is also a hugger (Rich describes him as the heavy hugger) and would hug Rich when he saw him. Rich now makes the effort to hug others. The connection you make by the simple act of hugging another is incredible. It’s also therapeutic; a hug can turn a bad day around. Try it sometime!
I have made many incredible connections recently, and to be honest, many of those connections happen while sitting at Ohana. There are so many more connections from Ohana and more to be made. I am sure more will come out in my stories over time. My apologies if anyone feels left out. I love you all!
Connections can happen anywhere. Say hello to a stranger while walking down your street. Reach out a helping hand when you see someone in need (that can be as simple as holding a door or giving a hug). Put yourself out there and see the beautiful connections you make.
I have a vision and that vision is a world in which we all get along and work towards the betterment of all humanity, everything around us and the world as a whole. You may shrug that off and say it’s impossible and ask why even try? My question for you is simply, why not? Open your imagination and your heart to the idea and ask, why not?
I have been having many conversations around “courtesy” as of late. More specifically, the lack there of. We’ll be diving deeper into courtesy in the coming weeks which ties in nicely to my vision. Let’s have a dialogue and together, build a better tomorrow.
Keep Smiling.
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