Every society, every community down to every individual – seeks connection in

others to even each other. If we have well communication with each other, we can
build a strong foundation for our community.
For instance, take a toastmaster’s club for example. If you are able to connect well
with your peers, then you’d build a strong reputation for your club. You build a
vast web in which people can help you very easily; which resulted as a way of
trust.
So now I wonder. How do connections come about? What is the core element of
every bond that existed?
After reflecting back on the moments, I joined a lot of communities to even talking
to a lot of people. It finally clicked… It was experiences.
So, to explain this point further. I need all the audiences’ participation.
So, what I’ll be doing, is showing you three scenarios with a little bit of backstory.
I’m gonna tell you to raise your hand if this applies to you.
First scenario:
I was beaten. Bullied. I was put the corner, helpless. I see a shadow walked up to
me, a leg came in swiftly and kicked me – beat me up. After which, I was left
feeling devastated, depressed, useless. The weight of the world felt so heavy, and I
was left on the ground begging mercy.
Raise your hand if you relate to this experience. (look around)
If you relate to this experience, then you know that what I am talking about was
bullying; one of the leading problems in this world.
Second scenario:
There is only one thing that I have to do. Studying. I have a test coming up
tomorrow, a few homework due shortly and so many projects coming up – but
then, last night I played video games to have fun, I scrolled through my social
media – checking on my Instagram feed.
The next day, I flunked my test. I got a really bad score for my test and my
homework weren’t submitted properly.
Raise your hand if you relate to this experience. (look around)
If you relate to this experience, then you know that what I am talking about was
procrastination.
Third scenario:
I finally did it. After hours of curating my speech to the most perfect it can be and
practicing it to myself many times. The announcement for the best speaker came,
with every few seconds felt magnified, the best speaker title was shown, right
above - my name.
Raise your hand if you relate to this experience. Then you know that what I’m
talking about is success.
Look around you. The hands that joined you as they went up in solidarity
demonstrates that experiences, whether positive or negative, form the common
thread that binds us together – its invisible, and they are just waiting to be
revealed.
But how? Well, by building experiences which then build connections.
For example, say you had a trip somewhere. And another person – somebody,
also shares the same experience as you. You would then approach him or her, and
just talk a lot about that experience.
Our ability to relate and engage with each other's experiences fosters a sense of
belonging. It's through these shared experiences that we can build a strong
foundation for our communities and relationships.
There are also indirect connections. You idolize people like movie stars, singers,
artists, scientists to even social media influencers - because they share the same
goal, the same vision as you because they’ve most likely undergone the same
experiences as you.
However, there are also contradicting connections; where you fight and argue the
other person on where you stand or what you believe in. As crazy as it sounds,
these are also called connections - and they teach us a valuable lesson; and that is
to embrace diversity the more we are open-minded and empathetic, the stronger
our connections would be.
To illustrate all these, long time ago, I had the chance of working with a group of
friends for an orphanage-teaching event. We built experiences together, and
although we argued at times, we still managed to maintain our connection
In conclusion, don’t forget to embrace your experiences – whether positive or
negative, they play a part in forming the foundation of our connections. So get out
there and build bridges around you… in a journey for a more compassionate,
understanding and interconnected world.