What is your name?  Where are you from?  What high school did you go to (a Cincinnati exclusive)? When you first meet someone, you make an attempt to connect with them.  By asking them their name and where they are from, you are hoping to get to know something about them. 

Human connection is a basic human need.  Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs portrays a pyramid style figure with the physiological needs of health, food, and sleep being at the base, followed by safety which is described as shelter or removal from danger.   The middle of the pyramid is Belonging or love and affection and being part of a group.  As you move through the remainder of the hierarchy, Maslow identifies Esteem which is self esteem and esteem for others.  Finally, at the top is Self Actualization or the ability to become what we are capable of becoming.

As we sit in the middle of February and dream of spring, we can focus on the month of love.  My challenge to you is to not focus on the dollar box of heart shaped candies for your favorite someone, but focus on making a concerted effort to show others you care.  When was the last time you thanked the young person bagging your groceries?  Do you know the name of the person who cleans your office at night?  What about the older man sitting alone at a local restaurant - how about asking him to join you and your family?  I bet it would make his day to have social interaction and know that someone cared about him.  By reaching out and showing others you care, you meet a basic human need and help both yourself and them to be a little bit further in a lifelong journey of reaching your full potential.

In 1994 the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health examined how social contexts (such as families, friends, peers, schools, neighborhoods, and communities) influence teens' health and risk behaviors.  This study concluded that the more young people felt 'connected' to their home, school, and community, the less likely they were to engage in unhealthy behaviors.  This means that by showing someone you care, you have the ability to change their life forever.  When a young person knows you care, it shows.  They are more likely to feel empowered and have the self-confidence to make healthy choices.    

Below are a few ways you can show young people you care.  Please take this list to a coalition meeting and share it with all of the community sectors.  Think of the potential if local businesses, churches, schools, the local government, parents, media, health care professionals, and law enforcement spread a consistent message of caring.

• Create a hand made card and leave a thoughtful note.
• Ask, "What can I do to help you today?"
• See their potential and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
• Tell them which qualities of theirs you admire.
• Ask their advice on something and tell them their opinion means the word to you.
• Remember something they said that they thought you didn't hear.
• Suggest better behaviors if they act out.
• Respect them.
• Trust them.

Both adults and young people can learn and grow from this month of caring.  Appreciate your friends and family and challenge yourself to make someone smile.  Pick your head up from the emails on your phone and acknowledge those around you.  Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid, Beyond Booked Solid, and The Think Big Manifesto, says, "Long after people forget what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel."