In my last blog post, I wrote about how worldview matters. Our individual beliefs about life determine what choices we make everyday. It’s these choices that effect our actions and how we live out our days. Much of the time it’s subconscious. We’re not even aware of why we make the most basic decisions. But what if we stopped all the distractions to allow ourselves to be present in the moment? If we put down our phones and silenced the constant chatter in our heads, we might truly see each other and fully understand the power of connection right in front of us.
Even though we may profess a worldview that values each individual as precious, do we actually show this by how we live? Or do we walk around in a self-absorbed state, thinking only about our own agenda much of the time? With our mind a million miles away, these valuable people all around us might as well be invisible. We don’t really see them at all.
Recently, we held an all staff training at my workplace on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health. An underlying theme of the afternoon was that we don’t see people for who they truly are. If we’re honest, every one of us carries stereotypes in our head of individuals with mental illness or substance abuse. Through education, we’re increasing awareness that anyone we meet, members of our family or friends, may be battling addiction, depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. Until we look deeper, we have no idea the struggles they endure.
In 2010, Nick Adkins struggled to make sense of his dad’s death from cancer. While dealing with his sorrow, he made the decision to go to the Burning Man event held every year in the Nevada desert. From that experience, he started the Pink Socks movement. So what on earth do pink socks have to do with Nick’s journey with grief? During Burning Man, he was touched by the acts of gifting he encountered while there and how through simple presents, connections were formed. Once he returned home, he decided to continue promoting the power of connection through gifting pink socks. To his surprise, this trend has now reached around the world.
At the conclusion of our training, we were all given a pair of pink socks with moustaches and puzzle pieces, just like Nick’s. Then we purposefully chose a partner we didn’t know well. While looking that other person in the eye we said, “I see you.” It was very powerful.
Whether the concept of gifting pink socks seems a good idea or just plain silliness, the point of Nick Adkins’ movement is clear. Being intentional about making connections is important. Since our training last week, I have made an effort to remain mindful of the present. It might make people uncomfortable at first, but I try to look them in the eye, especially if they are a stranger.
When I read the Gospels, I see Jesus doing this very thing with everyone he met. One day, He spied Zacchaeus sitting high in a sycamore tree. He called him down and invited himself to dinner at his home. This experience changed Zacchaeus and his whole family. Another time, when a bleeding woman touched him in a crowd of people, he turned to find her. He looked directly at her and addressed her as daughter. She was immediately healed.
Jesus knew the power of connection. When he looked at people, He truly saw them. This made those bent on evil very uncomfortable. However, He drew to Himself those open to His love and made them one of His own. If we say we follow Jesus, shouldn’t we go and do the same?
