Sweet Connections
(Dedicated to MLR)
Have you ever met an old friend for the very first time? You know, that feeling that you have known this person forever even though you have just met.
In the role I play in life, I have met thousands of people in my lifetime during ministry. There is a unique thing that happens to people who are in the front of the room, in other words, when you are part of the ratio of one to the many. When someone sits in the audience – if the speaker has done a good job, all listeners will feel like they were speaking specifically to them, which can leave them feeling familiar. Still, for the speaker they are not seeing or connecting with the entire audience. So often, someone will walk up to the speaker feeling familiar, but the speaker is often at a loss. (Imagine what it is like for celebrities.)
There is this whole other experience that happens, this one is so special. Throughout my twenty years as a teacher and speaker, there have been many people that I can remember meeting for the very first time. It is almost as if there was some kind of special energetic exchange like we left a mutual imprint upon each other. This experience – which contains an instant rapport, is precious on so many levels because I know that these people will be in my life in some way forever. Or, we will be able to light each other up every time we are in each other’s company.
Last week I re-met a woman I have known for a few years; we met briefly just before Covid hit. We have rarely been in each other’s company; we live on different coasts and have no natural reasons to bump into each other. Alas, we connected last week at a conference, and although it took me a minute to recognize her – it has been a few years – once the memory returned, so did the feeling, connection, and rapport. I love how such individuals leave their mark on me and on my heart.
Rapport is a magical thing. It is most often spontaneous, but you can cultivate it. If you are in the healing arts of any kind, learning how to cultivate it can make all the difference in the world for your ability to create change (healing) in the lives of your clients. Rapport is the natural outcome of feeling safe in each other’s company.
What gets in the way of rapport? Being judgmental, controlling, or inauthentic. These things can really stand in the way of connecting with someone, and it keeps love at bay. What creates rapport? Having an open heart, a sweet curiosity about people, and a simple desire to connect. If you struggle with creating rapport, look inside, see where fear might get in the way, or see how you might be judging someone. Get those things out of the way, and you will find yourself bathing in love.
