The Joys of Connectivity!

OMG – we’d been Skype-chatting for 2 hours already and there was STILL more to share as we caught up. Finally, PP had created an account, and we were savoring the delights of unlimited conversation, as starved as we were for the cozy chats we used to share before she moved away.
She’s also been indoctrinated into the joys of social networking and was now adding to her list of friends to share photos and news with. Have I said how I just LOVE new media for staying in touch with all and sundry? YES I DO!!!

But my friendship with PP? Now, THAT is extra special. It’s been about 9 years since we first met – just 2 random people in the same church cell group. PP had many questions to ask about our groups’ topics of discussion, and was also single-handedly caring for her terminally ill mother. Her life was full but she still found time to encourage other cancer patients too – she had found a satisfying vocation there which she continues to engage in whenever the opportunity presents itself. Admirable, don’t you think? My own rigid life was engaged in the diametrically opposite structured corporate sector and we kept in touch only when friends with terminally ill relatives needed prayer or other support. She and I really had absolutely nothing in common, apart from sharing a deeply-rooted commitment to being the best that we can be, within our skill sets. So HOW did we become bosom buddies? She laughingly says now that she used to find me ‘distant’ though friendly - oh dearie me, where have I heard THAT before? Ahem! Hem!

Anyway, along the way we somehow found ourselves on opposite sides of a common issue that inflamed our mutual sense of justice with an unquenchable desire to set aright, despite stone walls and intrigue. That closed the social distance between us. As we discussed how to help out, we exchanged backgrounds and found that we come from 2 vastly different worlds (um, can this even be on the same planet!?). She had not told anyone about hers for good reason, it sounded like something out of a heart-wrenching storybook to me. But the mutual sharing of our family secrets led to trust and later confidence and then to the ability to laugh together about issues surrounding our lives, and to offer each other stark moral support without frills. Have you noticed how laughter melts icicles and brings streams that irrigate orchards and gardens? Ahhh. Jocular bliss.

Then a job took her away and we caught up on chats when she returned every few weeks. BUT somehow those gaps were toooooooo long and everytime I got into a mental pickle and wanted to chat with someone who understands me, I missed hearing her incisive, challenging, wisdom. It was vice versa too. Uh-huh, that’s right – it is the blatant honesty between us that is SO very valuable, because it is shared from a common desire to help each other to improve, without pretence. Don’t you too have someone or 2 you like to vent with? You know, as I would drive away from an unbelievably idiotic meeting, or pondered over my own bungling responses (aargh yes, not yet again!) in a situation, I would sometimes indulge in calling her long-distance to get her insights into others’ perspectives. Oh, how enlarging it has been for me to hear perceptions from a vastly different world to mine! Especially so, when my work entails relating to people with social/cultural/religious/political/ etc etc , differing expectations to what I was used to.

Quite honestly, the trials and tribulations of being smacked in the face with ‘norms’ that are alien to me have made me a far better-aligned person, because of her helpful insights. Instead of continuing my attempts as the proverbial ‘bull in a china shop’ the insights have helped me to broaden my thinking and build bridges that enhance relationships. And now WE HAVE NEW MEDIA despite the physical distance between us. Did I say already that I just love the technical connectivity that enables the emotional connectivity which makes the world go round? Hey! There’s the likes of Fring too you know! Ha ha ha Mobility rules!!!! OH YES!