Ache for Connection

Written by: Liz Cerven

Dear Reader,

I hope this letter finds you in a moment of reflection, perhaps even in a moment of longing. I write to you today about something that ties us all together: the ache for connection. It is one of the most fundamental parts of being human, isn’t it? The need to feel seen, heard, and known. Yet, for all its importance, connection can sometimes feel elusive, as though it is just beyond our reach.

There are times when disconnection wraps itself around us like a fog, blurring our sense of self and our bond with others. In those moments, we might find ourselves scrolling endlessly, sitting silently in crowded rooms, or even holding back tears we can’t quite explain. Disconnection is a quiet loneliness that whispers, You’re alone in this world. But even in its heaviest moments, there is something inside us that resists it—a spark that yearns to bridge the divide. We crave connection because it is woven into the very fabric of who we are.

And where do we find this connection? At its deepest level, I believe it begins with love. Love is the thread that ties us back to ourselves and, in turn, to others. Yet, so often, we look outward first, hoping someone else will fill the gaps we feel within. But love, real love, often begins inwardly. To truly connect with others, we must first connect with ourselves—with our fears, our hopes, and even the parts of us we’d rather leave hidden. When we can look inward with kindness and acceptance, something remarkable happens: we begin to feel whole, and that wholeness allows us to meet others not with need, but with openness.

The beauty of love is that it is expansive. It reaches beyond us and flows freely when we allow it. Love doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic to be powerful. It is in the quiet moments: a shared laugh with a friend, the comforting touch of a loved one, or even the vulnerability of saying, I’m here for you. It is in the way we listen with genuine care, how we show up for someone in their time of need, and the courage it takes to let others see our true selves. Love reminds us that connection is not about perfection but about presence.

And let’s not forget the love that comes from simply being alive. It’s in the joy of a warm cup of tea on a cold morning, the wonder of watching the stars at night, or the peace of feeling the earth beneath your feet. These small but profound moments are connections, too—bridges between ourselves and the world. They remind us that love exists in abundance if only we take the time to notice it.

So, dear reader, if you’re feeling disconnected, I encourage you to begin with love. Start small. Be gentle with yourself. Seek out the moments that make you feel alive and open your heart to the people who remind you of your humanity. Connection doesn’t require perfect circumstances; it only asks for your willingness to reach out—first to yourself, and then to others.

Remember, we are not meant to go through this life alone. In love, in connection, and in the quiet moments where we truly see each other, we find the beauty of what it means to be human.

Yours in connection and care