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Building healthy, human connections starts with one small act of reaching out. You must go first to take that action.
Going first is like tipping the first domino in a long, intricate chain. At first, it’s just one quiet, deliberate, gentle push. But that single act sets everything else in motion. It creates momentum, invites movement, and shows others what is possible.
Without that first domino, nothing happens. But with it, a cascade begins. Courage. Change. Connection.
Taking action to reach out first can strongly affect your feelings. William James, the father of modern psychology, said, “We don’t laugh because we’re happy—we’re happy because we laugh.”
Current research supports James’ counterintuitive assertion and demonstrates how:
- Exercise affects mood enhancement
- Volunteering increases happiness
- Social interaction improves emotional regulation
- Hobbies create positive emotional shifts.
All growth occurs when we are uncomfortable. So, act first, then feel the benefits of your actions. Celebrities and famous athletes often tout their “platform” to communicate messages. Well, we all have our own platform called our lives.
One small act can change the world of another person—and our world also. One smile, one wave, one thank you, one I appreciate you, one holding of the door to walk through.
Start small. The next time you are waiting in a line, talk to the people in front of you and behind you. Start building your connection muscle.
Talking to strangers guarantees novelty, even learning. It holds the promise, each time, of an unexpected insight and delight! After all, your best friends were strangers at one point.
Giving someone your attention is arguably the greatest gift you can give them. Your time is your life. When you turn your face to someone and focus your eyes on them, it shows that you genuinely care and are interested in what they have to say.
Try it a few times this week and see how you feel afterwards.