Really, Just a Switch?

I had three issues, with two solutions and a laugh. The first light solved was a bit of an embarrassment. After a healthy investigation, the electrician discovered a switch behind a towel rack we just never saw because, well, there was usually a towel there. Flipped the switch, the light came on, problem solved, and I enjoyed a large slice of humble pie.

The other two were legit issues. On one, the wires had corroded, and the connection to the light was lost. The other one had a tab at the bottom of the light socket that was flattened from an old bulb. The new bulb wouldn't screw in deep enough to make the connection. Simply prying it up to connect with the bulb fixed the problem. In both cases, no connection, no power, no light. Just darkness, confusion, and frustration. No matter how many times I'd flip the switch, no response. It all starts with connection, just like every business and personal relationship we have.  

"She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 'God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?'" (Luke 1:40-43)

It must start with a connection. 

Connect with heart, then challenge and inspire the mind, then gain relationship and influence. No connection, no relationship, no relationship, no influence.  

A few tips on connection:

Show up: You can fake caring, but you can't fake showing up. Mary visited Elizabeth. She showed up. 

Honor each other: Elizabeth showed gratitude and honor to Mary for her visit. It wasn't a competition about whose baby was more impressive. It was simply shared love and gratitude.

Be vulnerable: Nobody connects with perfection. Admit when your lights are broken simply because you didn't know where the switch was. We all have issues.

Share experiences: Serve together,  make memories together, eat together, laugh together.

If you want to build a lasting business, rich friendships, and a loving family, show up, honor one another and your differences, be vulnerable, make memories, and laugh. Connect. No connection, no power. And don't let negligence corrode your most important connections over time. Keep the energy flowing.  

Most importantly, like baby John did when young Mary carrying Jesus walked into the room, connect with the true source of power and let it invigorate you. Keep the connection active, which will light up the darkness every time. Don't hide that switch behind a towel, let negligence allow the connection to corrode, or an old bulb cause a new light not to shine.