Retreat! Hide! Find a cave! Get away from every stinking person you’ve ever known! There. Disconnected. Peace. Protected! Finally! But I would argue that your disconnection is drawing you down the rabbit hole of despair. From such a place you may never escape. Staying connected is very important!
Through this year of pandemic, we’ve isolated ourselves from the public in many situations. Our rabbit hole is filled with technological whizbangs that attempt to make us connectable, but the reality is we are further removed from others than we have ever been.
Someone passes and suddenly we want to know, “Was it the coronavirus?” I realize most deaths I’m aware of this year were not due to the virus, but it’s our worry bone! Yet, we worry less when someone passes away and the virus was not the perpetrator.
Whew! Bullet dodged! But wait. They are still gone!
Suddenly, I realize, no matter the causation, I’m overly saddened at their passing even during a pandemic. Our bonds, though tightened, are necessary to make this period of isolation tolerable. Social platforms cannot be trusted. Emails are branded as spam, scam, phishing, and, oh, by the way, we have something to sell you. Snail mail? Just junk mail. I need a voice connection!
Again, I’m noticing a trend. The better connected we can be, the further we are removed and this pandemic is not helping us out!
History Relived
Some of you will remember the days of the rotary dial, using an operator, call only during the times when long distance charges are minimal. 4-1-1 anyone? Stamps were still single digit in price, and mail took a long time to arrive. No FedEx, UPS, nor Amazon Prime. Shopping was researched through store catalogs that rivaled Yellow Pages in size. Huge!
Auto’s did not automatically come with automatic transmissions, air conditioning, or anything other than a dial AM radio.
Milk was in glass containers from small to large. Coffee was pre-ground into sizes for particular brewing styles (Fine, Automatic, Drip).
Everyone dressed up for church, school and work.
Yet, during these draconian days, we all seemed to better connect than we are today. It’s almost like every phone was a party line and everyone listened and chimed in if they dare.
During draconian times we all seemed to better connect that we do with technology today. Then, it seemed we were on a party line and knew so much about others than we should! Click To TweetMoving Forward
Long before anyone created the modern version, Dick Tracy had a watch connected to Headquarters! He began to use technology nearly 90 years ago! No phone cards, mobile flips, or telephone booths.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could connect as simply as this? Even better, what if we could simply trust the dialing process and make a few calls in life?
My social feed (Facebook) is nothing more than my link to people I know or may know. I do not have their feed in my feed. Nor am I interested in following posts about recipes, travel, events, nor feelings. But, if I think about them, then I can go look them up. During this season of isolation, I have found I’ve looked up many connections to ensure they are okay. It doesn’t always work. Some fall through the tracks. Dreadful news comes through other sources. Suddenly, I feel lost. Yes. Even I have missed a connection.
I realize all over again how important people are to me. My isolation may be enforced, but I am a “people” person and I despise the rule.
I don’t want to miss out on this aspect of my personality.
Application
How do we connect with others, especially during these times of isolation? Are we really connected? Online meetings do not cut it, and, as a friend used to teach, we do better when belly to belly, face to face.
Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet.
We all breathe the same air.
We all cherish our children’s future.
And we are all mortal. ~John F. Kennedy
Knowing we are all from the same planet and have the same need for oxygen, equally, we need to find good ways to connect. In isolation we can no longer set around a common table breaking bread, nor can we hug each other, or chat over the backyard fence.
Here’s how most of us connect. Spend hours going through social media feeds looking for input and digesting the wasted information! How weary have you become of looking at reposts of politics, viruses, digs, and slams?
What to do?
We simply need to connect in a more personal way!
- Recently, making a drive with my bride, I prove to myself how important others are to me. Drive through Coffee! Conversation! The barista is from the town my son now lives in! Small world!!
- Again. A group (just 5 of us until a 6th rushed through) happened to meet at my house, and we all stood in the driveway, physically distanced, but certainly not socially apart.
- Meeting at church, and following all protocols, we are at least able to give fist bumps, air 5’s, and shoulder nudges!
For those who are not physically inclined these days, I can only say it must be tough hanging out with just your household group. Sure you know enough about them, but there are so many more out there who need you!! How about setting some new boundaries and establish some good connections in your life? There’s no time like the present!