Thankful Thursdays: We Are Each Other's Angels

This November, I'm counting my blessings . . . by thinking about connections -- and how vital they are to my life.  Today, I'm thankful to my "connections" -- my personal network of friends.

When I was just starting out in my work life, everyone was telling me I needed to "network."  (That, and "dress for success" were the buzz-words of the work world in the early 80s!)  I truly didn't "get" the "networking" thing.  It seemed so trite.  And forced.  And fake.  Besides, all the people I met were at the same stage of their career as I was.  How was that supposed to be beneficial from a career standpoint?  I just blew off the whole "networking" thing.  I'd rather have friends. . . than a network!

As I grew older and wiser, though, I learned an important thing.  My friends WERE my network!  As I moved out in greater and greater circles in the world, I made more and more friends. . . who did more and more things. . . and connected me to more and more new friends.  And, all of a sudden, I HAD a network!

It wasn't trite.  Or forced.  Or fake.  It was a real network -- of friends.  What I didn't know when I was 24,  (well, one of many things I didn't know at 24. . .) is that your "network" can't be built overnight, and it can't be forced. . . if it's going to connect you to friends.  It takes time.  Lots of time.  And it's really pretty easy.  You just . . . connect . . . with people.

And what I really didn't understand. . . is that my "network" . . . developed without my trying at all.  I found that . . . we are each other's angels. . . and we meet when it is time.

So now, several decades later, I have a network of friends.  My network can connect me to . . . travel tips, the best recipes, new restaurants, knitting patterns, great books, hugs during a rough patch, advice when moving to a new community, the best teachers in a new grade level, mentors, internship options, medical information, and even new jobs. But mostly, my network of friends gets me through!

I am thankful for my network of friends . . . keeping me connected to people, situations, and the world!  We are each other's angels. . . and we meet when it is time. . . we keep each other going. . . and we show each other signs. . .

Comments

[Patty]

Oh you said it Kym! Where would we be without our angels!

[margene]

We'd be lost without our friends and networks. Thank you, Kym for saying it so perfectly.

[Cookie]

Well said!

[Lori on Little Traverse Bay]

Amen!

[thea]

Yep, love my network! Sorry I've been so remiss about commenting - life here has been BUSY - but glad you're still good and I have been reading :-)

[Marilyn]

Well said! Friends and angels are our support system. Where would we be without them?

[JessaLu]

yay for friends!