"Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer."
— E.M. Forster, Howard's End
We have combined two households, and are still trying to figure out where to put everything. We have all the stuff we need. And more.
But if you want to give us something meaningful, take some time to put your phone away and really connect with a person in your life, or with your authentic self, or with the natural world. Here are some of our ideas of how to do that, but you can come up with your own and it will still count. Extra points for writing and telling us what you did.
| Item | Remaining Requested | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Connect around the WorldThink of a place you've always wanted to visit but never have. Use one of these resources to find a penpal who lives there. | 4 | ||
Connect with Canadian writers and writingDonate to the Writers' Trust of Canada | 4 | ||
Connect with floraLook for a kind of flower you didn't know existed. Plant one either in your home or outdoors. | 4 | ||
Connect via musicFind someone who loves a song you would never spontaneously listen to. Get them to tell you what they love about it, and really listen to them. Then listen to the song, and see if you can hear it as they do. | 4 | ||
Connect with your unconsciousPaint one of your dreams. | 4 | ||
Connect with childhoodAsk 5 different children what they think is the meaning of life. | 4 | ||
Connect with the oppositionFind someone who holds a political, religious, economic or moral position with which you profoundly disagree. Find at least 5 things you can support about their perspective and / or their path to it. | 4 | ||
Connect with your courageIdentify an irrational fear of yours — flying, crowds, spiders, etc. — and get some help with it. | 4 | ||
Connect via cuisineMake someone their favourite meal when they're not expecting it. | 4 | ||
Connect with your pastLook through your stored belongings and find an item you'd forgotten. Make art (of whatever kind you choose) incorporating or inspired by it. | 4 | ||
Connect with a strangerIf someone at another table in a restaurant seems unhappy, pay their bill anonymously. | 4 | ||
Connect with the cosmosGo stargazing in the countryside far from lights. Create an original constellation from some of the stars you see. | 4 | ||
Connect with your environsWithin a week, walk or bike 5 times when you would otherwise have driven. Notice any differences in how you experience these trips. | 4 | ||
Connect with your creativityWrite a poem. | 4 | ||
Connect with your influencesMake a list of 5 people who have had a huge influence on you. Write to them and thank them. | 4 | ||
Connect with your inspirationSend a fan letter to a writer whose work you enjoy. | 4 | ||
Connect with the less fortunateSupport the good work of the Fort York Food Bank | 1 | ||
Connect with a former friendGet in touch with someone you haven't talked to in at least 5 years, and tell them something meaningful that happened to you in the intervening time. | 2 |