The Power of Genuine Connection

I've always believed that good vibes attract meaningful connections.

Last week, I met a former colleague for lunch in the city. The first thing he said to me as we met up was that I had a "good glow" and looked younger and happier. Which is very true - it was a Friday afternoon on a sunny Geneva spring day and I was not working. But it’s also that I was free of work stress and perhaps he saw my real self - not my work self- for the first time.

During lunch we broke free from the usual work-centric conversations that typically dominate when we’re in the office. Instead, we talked about life, aspirations, and experiences; we also talked about challenges and fears. Suddenly he no longer felt like a colleague but a genuine human beyond our job titles. It was also authentic, real and raw.

As I walked back to the train station, an elderly man approached me. My first instinct was that he wanted a cigarette, so I quickly removed my earphones to politely decline. To my surprise, he introduced himself as a professional photographer who had noticed me looking down at my phone—something about the moment had caught his artistic eye.

Though initially skeptical, I decided to embrace the spontaneity of the moment. I posed looking at my phone while he captured the image. Minutes later, he sent it to me via Instagram—a beautiful candid moment I would have missed had I hurried past.

Sometimes the universe delivers these unexpected encounters that remind us to stay open to connection. Whether it's seeing familiar faces in new contexts or meeting strangers who see something special in us, these moments add richness to our everyday experiences.