One of the blogs I enjoy to read is Seth Godin’s. Last week I was reading a post he did called, “Subtlety deconstructed” and my largest takeaway was this statement…
“Connections we make are more powerful than connections made for us.”
Over the years I’ve learned (and am still learning) that the same is true through many of life’s lessons…
- In learning to lead/coach others! We can share insights & experiences till we are blue in the face, but the best way it sticks is when they connect to it personally.
- The same is true of children & students! For me, the greatest lessons I remember retaining & applying at that age were from the connections I made on my own.
- The same is even true of you & I! Some of the greatest (& most challenging) lessons we’ve learned are the connections Jesus allowed us to experience the “hard way.”
I’m learning one of the best things we can do through said connections is learn the balance between letting them make them & protecting them from due harm! In other words, how can we help them make the connections on their own, before the cost of the lesson is to great?
To be clear, I’m not implying we let everyone “run a muck” while we desperately chase behind saying…”I told you so, now will you listen?” Nor am I saying that “personal connections” can only be made “the hard way.” I’m simply saying (what I’m learning is) we must find the balance between helping others make connections, protecting them & the standards that can not be compromised! 
Just what I’m learning..