Yesterday, as we traveled from the airport, we talked about the typical shallow stuff. The weather. The Pacers run in the playoffs. Michigan football.

Then, I asked about what he enjoys.

This is when the passion came out.

He turned to counseling. Because of his past, his testimony, he boldly helps others that struggle with addiction. He described how he finds joy from pouring himself into others, because he has been there. He knows the pitfalls and the road to recovery. He desperately wants to help others.

I asked what he believed to be the key to helping others.

My new friend quickly said, “connection.” In his opinion, he explained that people needed connection with others. Good connections with people that have their best interest at heart. Connection helped them travel the journey. Connection brought hope, peace, a realization that things would be okay.

Three important life lessons were picked up in that 20 minute ride.

First, the role of your past, your personal journey. Your journey is unique to you. It is a gift to share with others. A personal testimony can rightly be used to help others, give others insight into life. Never hide it. We are all flawed and others benefit from transparency.

Second, the impact of connection. Connection matters. Connection with the right people matters for us all. As I talked with my friend, I looked at the crowd funneling into the Convention Center, and I said, “most of those people walking in right now don’t have real connections.” From the stats we all read, people are lonely. We all need connection.

Finally, a life focused on impacting others brings purpose and joy. My friend talked with meaning, purpose, focus, when he spoke of his counseling, his work in helping others with addiction. It was super important in his life. It was his passion. It gave his life meaning. Impacting others mostly impacts the giver.

We ended the conversation by talking about the hope we both had in God. He said that was the ultimate truth that helped him in his daily journey.

I stepped into that car thinking business, what I needed to make happen that day.

I stepped out of that car thinking about people and the impact I could have. Business is all about people.

That conversation was worth my trip.

Impact others. Live generously.

Mike Harvey is the Vice President, Growth & Development at Harvest Group

You can find more from him at impactothers.blog