I have recently had the pleasure of being able to share some of my favorite media with some of my friends. And let me tell you, it was an absolute delight! There is something so special about being able to share something you love, especially when it is enjoyed and appreciated by the recipient.
I think this has happened to all of us. The things we get excited and rambled on for hours about are just sort of infectious, and often the people who care about us endure longer conversations than they would normally ask for because we’re just so enthusiastic.
It’s a special thing, so be either on the sharing or receiving end of this. As the sharer, it feels good to know someone cares. As the receiver, it feels good to know you are trustworthy of this excitement.
I’m an over-explainer and a tad nerdy. This leads to LONGGG explanations about things that don’t really need a two hour conversation, but I’m giving it one anyway.
But this has reminded me of the ways conversation can remain superficial so easily. Sometimes other people aren’t interested in the same things as you. Sometimes it’s easier to find surface-level things to talk about.
But the same way something is lost when you never talk about anything that excites you, it’s tragic when conversations with people you care about never get any deeper than the first layer.
There is so much more available within every person. Personally, I’ve found that the quietest souls who are the hardest to start conversing with are the people with the deepest thoughts, once you get past the initial awkwardness.
And then suddenly your friendship is so much more. Being open, vulnerable, discussing the things that really matter to you, that will naturally tighten the bonds between you.
This is not going the direction I thought it would. I think it’s still good though.
Sometimes on the surface it can seem like you don’t have a lot in common with someone. It can be hard to hold conversation when you are in a different life stage, have a different personality, or are just disconnected. But pushing past that? It’s worth it. So far, for me, it’s been worth it every time.
The closest friends I have are the people that I’ve shared with. The people who share common interests make it easier to start conversations with, but it’s too easy to never go deep, because you have an endless supply of surface-level things to talk about. It’s still very possible though. Intentionality is key.
This isn’t to say that every conversation you have for the rest of your life has to be deep. You don’t need to walk up to a stranger and ask them what their deepest insecurity is. But if you want to know someone better? Search for the version of the person that others don’t see.
Connection isn’t instantaneous, but we can practice things make it happen faster. Praying with each other, sharing something encouraging God taught you recently, it all helps.
So go deep. It’s worth it.
