Friday, January 14, 2022
The world is lost. It’s lost in thought, and it’s lost in electronic devices. Out and about, you rarely see or notice people. They’re buried in their phones, or lost in the perturbing thoughts of their own minds. Nowadays it’s impossible to find eye contact or a friendly, non-hostile face. It’s almost impossible to find a laugh. It’s impossible to find a person who has time to socialize or to chitchat. It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t buried themselves in being “busy.” People are everywhere, but they aren’t available anymore.
Be available to someone today, even to a stranger. Try to connect, genuinely with another. Look up, put your phone down. People are hungry for community, but they are looking for it on social media, and it can’t be found there. What we need is each other, in a localized, real-time way. We need presence in community, not isolation or so-called virtual reality.
Notice people, but notice them as a wonder of creation. People have forgotten how amazing they are. We aren’t robots. We are marvelous creatures with so much insight, energy, and potential. Help people to notice you, by being attentive and inspired by their very presence. Appreciate someone by devoting your attention to them – smile directly at them, and take them away from their inner turmoil, even if for just a moment. It’s time to notice others, and to be available for each another. It’s time to see people as miracles, not as enemies. We cannot lose the importance of community. It’s vital for our ability to thrive on the planet. Think about how you can contribute to this important part of being a human. Our survival depends on it.
Ryan, this is one of your best posts. You hit the subject spot on. Thank you.