Communication

Two things started me thinking on this subject yesterday.  One was a walk through Wally world for groceries and the other was a brief online chat segment.  I have noticed over the past few years, especially with the advent of Bluetooth technology, that more people walk around with some sort of cell phone link to their ears.  Usually those people were under 25 years of age or of the business persuasion.  The other part of the population can be found in their cars with a cell phone to the ear and not using a hands free contraption.  But, I digress.  So, now we have a rough estimate of 25-50% of the population talking to someone as they walk, shop or drive.  It appears that we are a generation of communicators.  If not, then what are we doing with the ability to call anywhere anytime?

The other half of this observation was during an online conversation.  We were talking about how I don't "make" Dastard DO things that he may not want.  Well, it is the same way he doesn't make me do things I don't want.  We sit down and talk face-to-face about the situation.  The response from the other person indicated to me that they wouldn't or couldn't talk to their spouse in a similar manner.

So, we can communicate by phone and internet, but not person to person.  Is the fear of face to face so strong that we have lost that ability?  Why do we shy away from telling others how we feel?  Is it because we don't want to hurt their feelings even though ours may be hurt because of something they have done?  That doesn't even make sense.  We can tell complete strangers online, known only by a pseudo name, the ills of our lives, but we can't talk to those closest to us in life. 

Why are we with those in our family if we can't sit down and enjoy a conversation?  Wasn't there a time when we all first met the one in our life and just talked?  Wasn't that the greatest feeling to connect on that level and feel as if we were understood by someone else?

Here is an assignment.  Today or tomorrow, sit down with those in your family, turn the tv off (yes that includes the xbox or other console) and talk or go for a walk, bike ride, whatever.  Enjoy being in their company again.  I am.

Keep on Go!