“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”
–Albert Einstein
In a modern world, dominated by technology, texting, and being glued to our digital devices, profiles in the cloud, and alternative worlds, it has never been more important to consider meaningful conversation with our dearest family and friends. Believe it or not, there once was a time that cell phones and mobile devices didn’t exist, and people actually spent time together because they thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. As technology advances, areas of our lives become simpler and more under our control, however other aspects are being left to fall by the wayside. It was once natural to have an entire conversation over dinner or drinks without checking one’s gadget – it was also perfectly okay to look each other in the eye, and to genuinely care about what the other says.
–Albert Einstein
In a modern world, dominated by technology, texting, and being glued to our digital devices, profiles in the cloud, and alternative worlds, it has never been more important to consider meaningful conversation with our dearest family and friends. Believe it or not, there once was a time that cell phones and mobile devices didn’t exist, and people actually spent time together because they thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. As technology advances, areas of our lives become simpler and more under our control, however other aspects are being left to fall by the wayside. It was once natural to have an entire conversation over dinner or drinks without checking one’s gadget – it was also perfectly okay to look each other in the eye, and to genuinely care about what the other says.
I know, I know – this article thus far has been riddled with sarcasm and underlying witty remarks that suggest that I don’t suffer from the exact same disconnection that I’m referencing to. But the truth is, that I do struggle with the same issues that everybody else does. Sometimes, I feel like my online persona is a better person than I really am, deep, down, inside – for (honestly) that person that my friends and family know is probably a bit more blunt, random, selfish, perverted, and curses much too often.
As I progress through life, I learn valuable lessons all of the time, many of which are from simple trial and error, and others are lessons that sit heavy within my heart. One of the many life lessons that I’ve learned is what the true values are in life – as they are not the materialistic things, gold or jewelry, cars or houses, or numbers in a bank account. The important things in life are the people you’ve connected with through your time here on earth, be it by traditional family relations, or deeper connections with those rare individuals who you call (that magical word) friends. As I grow wiser and as the birthdays begin to pile up, friends (or rather, acquaintances) part and that strong connection and tight grasp you once shared no longer is as important as it used to be. This can happen because of certain events or circumstances, or sometimes they just happen. As people progress through their own lives, their paths change, and most of the time whether it be because of marriage, children, or a new career path, relationships can suffer, or as I said before, they can fall by the wayside.
Another contributing factor to the drop off of friendships is for the lack of participation. As you (probably) know now, relationships have to be nourished and given attention to, for without which, they suffer tremendously. I realize that life can get too busy and seem too crazy, but the fact that you can save a relationship by simply paying attention more during your conversations, no matter how rare they are, can be all the positive change it needs. I challenge you to turn off your devices, and focus in the next time you’re out to dinner with an old friend, having drinks with a new friend, or even simply on the phone with your mother. The simple act of showing you care adds to the positive change that the world needs, and for this little effort, your relationships can be ever stronger.
You never know when you might need a friend.
As I progress through life, I learn valuable lessons all of the time, many of which are from simple trial and error, and others are lessons that sit heavy within my heart. One of the many life lessons that I’ve learned is what the true values are in life – as they are not the materialistic things, gold or jewelry, cars or houses, or numbers in a bank account. The important things in life are the people you’ve connected with through your time here on earth, be it by traditional family relations, or deeper connections with those rare individuals who you call (that magical word) friends. As I grow wiser and as the birthdays begin to pile up, friends (or rather, acquaintances) part and that strong connection and tight grasp you once shared no longer is as important as it used to be. This can happen because of certain events or circumstances, or sometimes they just happen. As people progress through their own lives, their paths change, and most of the time whether it be because of marriage, children, or a new career path, relationships can suffer, or as I said before, they can fall by the wayside.
Another contributing factor to the drop off of friendships is for the lack of participation. As you (probably) know now, relationships have to be nourished and given attention to, for without which, they suffer tremendously. I realize that life can get too busy and seem too crazy, but the fact that you can save a relationship by simply paying attention more during your conversations, no matter how rare they are, can be all the positive change it needs. I challenge you to turn off your devices, and focus in the next time you’re out to dinner with an old friend, having drinks with a new friend, or even simply on the phone with your mother. The simple act of showing you care adds to the positive change that the world needs, and for this little effort, your relationships can be ever stronger.
You never know when you might need a friend.
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