Postcard on Connectedness
Everything is connected!
The world is big. Sometimes, it feels overwhelmingly so. But at its core, it’s a small, interconnected place. Conversations in one corner flow into laughter in another.
Just recently, after laying my pastor to rest, I was scrolling through social media and stumbled upon a post about him. Oddly enough, I’ve followed this person for a while and had no idea they were connected to anyone I knew. Yet, there I was, staring at a family portrait of my pastor on her timeline. He was smiling, as always, alongside his beautiful wife and their three daughters. As I read the caption, I realized my pastor was her older cousin. I was stunned. To think, she had been at the burial too, and I may have even sat just inches away from her.
The world is big, but it’s also small. In this era of technology, it feels even smaller. But what’s my point here?
I guess all I’m trying to say is that everything is connected. Maybe if we truly understood this, we will stop obsessing over building islands for ourselves and start leaning into creating communities. We thrive in communities. We weren’t designed to do life in isolation. Is this an endorsement of needless dependence on others? Of course not! This is about placing ourselves in spaces that help us become more.
One of the things I’m most grateful for this year is the numerous work connections I have made. Sometimes I reflect on it and feel blown away by how far these connections have taken me. A few days ago, I needed some important work information. If you know anything about Nollywood, you will know that the gatekeeping is real, and information like this isn’t handed out easily. In the middle of my dilemma, I remembered a writer friend I had networked with earlier this year. I reached out, and she kindly shared what she knew. In the same way, people have reached out to me for help, and I’ve been glad to return the favor.
Here on Substack, a random stranger helped me set up my newsletter. (You won’t believe I was churning out long-form posts in form of notes. Sigh*) Now, he’s one of my friends here and such a pillar of support. If you ever see
, give him a shout-out for me! Show him massive love on his posts. Kindness seems to be his second skin, and I’m so grateful for people like him.By the way, community building is not just relevant in work spaces. It is for all areas of life. For example, to build a faith-based community, you can join a local church. It’s such a practical way to stay vibrant in your spiritual walk as a Christian. If your local church isn’t helping you do this, move! Ask God to help you find a place where you can serve and grow. Just make sure you’re part of a community that feeds you spiritually.
Another example is the area friendship. The importance of cultivating meaningful friendships can never be overemphasized. So, this is your cue to pour into your friendships. You don’t need a large circle, but you do need your tribe — a handful of core friends who keep you grounded and pour into you as much as you pour into them. I 100% recommend!
Before I wrap up, I want to touch on how ideas flow. Have you ever had a brilliant idea, but for some reason, (fear, time, or doubt, whatever) you hesitated, only to see someone else execute it later? It’s as if they were eavesdropping on your thoughts! I believe ideas don’t come to just one person; they flow like water, waiting for someone daring enough to dive in.
Yes, I’m aware of the “no idea is new” theory. I actually agree with it, but it only reinforces my point. We live in a world so big that we may never see all of it before we leave, yet we’re all connected by the same humanity and creativity.
I know this newsletter has been a bit all over the place, but the essence of what I’m saying is this: we need to reframe how we view the world around us. That person down the street you just yelled at might not be a stranger for long. Be kind to everyone because someone, somewhere, has already passed you a baton of kindness. Don’t break the relay. And if you ever find yourself in a place where cruelty seems like the only option, break the chain. Refuse to carry the baton of wickedness.
Have a beautiful week as you plug yourself into healthy, thriving communities. Remember, everything is connected!
- Odinakachi Nwonu
Beautiful true work 👏 I once had an opportunity of giving art away at a homeless shelter way up in the mountains. Years went by and a friend asked me to go along as she met up with an old friend. After a couple of minutes visiting the man we'd visited, he said, "Hey! I have your painting in the dining room! I look at that every day, remember when....?" Oh! I felt ecstatic and shocked that yes, my work was hanging there with some shelves and little golden treasures. It was like a kiss from God. You're so right.
The importance of staying connected to your community and surroundings can hardly be overstated. From the offer of a helping hand to a simple smile from someone you know that makes a hard day a bit more bearable, a community can make a world of difference to your life.
And any assistance I offered was driven by the quality of your work. It deserved to be read and enjoyed by many more people. I am glad to have been fortunate to play a tiny role in your Substack journey so far 😊.