The Quiet Magic of Human Connection

I’ve been volunteering with Companion Connections for a little less than a year, and it’s been such a wonderful experience.

I’m a person in long-term recovery, and I’ve been of service in my 12-step fellowship for the past seven years. About a year ago, I started setting the intention to find a new way to be of service. Something that would challenge me and help me grow. And wouldn’t you know it, this opportunity presented itself, so I jumped on it!

During the interview process, I developed some preconceived notions about what the experience might look like. We discussed things like how to respond to someone experiencing a severe mental health crisis and having emergency resources available if needed. I think that led me to assume I’d primarily be supporting people who were in some pretty difficult situations. And while I’m sure that’s the reality for some companions, it hasn’t been my personal experience. So far, my relationships with the people I’ve been paired with have been rooted in simply being present with one another. And while I’m prepared to offer additional support if it’s ever needed, what I’ve discovered is that, at the end of the day, we all just want to feel connected to another human being. We all have our stuff, and sometimes having someone to share a little piece of life with makes all the difference.

The relationships I’ve developed have felt so natural and reciprocal. It genuinely feels like we’re helping each other. We’re just two human beings showing up for one another, and I think that’s pretty special.

My biggest takeaway has been that everybody needs companionship. We all benefit from having another person in our corner, and you really can never have too much support.

I went into this hoping to be of service, and it turns out I’m receiving just as much as I’m giving. Funny how that works!

I’d absolutely recommend Companion Connections to anyone looking for a meaningful way to connect with others and make a difference. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes in your own life.