The balance of life is quite complicated. Everyday you walk by people that you do not know and assume- that their life is- for all intents and purposes, going okay.
I'm bringing you to a busy sidewalk. Its bustling with people- hundreds of them. They are all walking by you with haste, determination and destination. They are older people, students, children, business men and women. With one very quick glance we observe, assume and file. The business man is successful because he is well dressed, he more than likely is talking on the phone with a business partner. The children are happy because they are blissfully ignorant to our social issues and concerned mostly about the toys in the shop windows. Then there are the older people- walking slowly, heads up high- just trying to make it through the crowds that speed past them. Then there is you. The hundred and one other person on the street, also walking hastily through your day- but greatly unique and unfortunate. You have the inability to quite all the noise in your head. The bills, the children, the family, the lover and destination.
You see- that amazing dress and make up, the expensive suite from Armani and the smile you wear are your armour. you wear it well and you project an image to all the other people on the street. You allow them to see what you want them to- and where to file you in their thoughts. But the truth is- as we all know there is so much more to learn about people, besides what we have been taught to perceive them as. Have we forgotten how to communicate- to engage?
With society "micro filing" people on social networks like Facebook and MySpace, we are only able to see what we are allowed to see- what we put out there for people to know. We allow ourselves to be satisfied with a short story if you will, of a persons life. Do we ever attempt to dig deeper or really "be there" when someone is talking to you?
We are now becoming a nation of Twitter - you can update a world of followers without any contact at all. Slowly we lose our sense of anticipation, substance, and for all intents and purposes- the sidewalk effect. You now will judge on an "update" and an impression.
I guess I have become a bit sad, though just as participatory, in our engagement in other peoples lives. I have often asked my friends "How often do you - on a sidewalk of two people crossing paths- do you say hello?" Most of the time people say never.
If we could not - before- even say hello to strangers on a lonely street, or hold and door and - if being held for you say "Thank You" - what hope do we have for being a society that cares even for our family, friends and loved ones. You will be surprised how much we "don't know" about even our closest of friends.
So back to your bustling streets and your busy day. Back to your busy schedule, your kids, your appointments and your meetings.
Back- Back-Back...to remembering to be present in peoples lives.
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