With all the new technology and instant information, I think communication has taken a big hit. We’ve grown to depend on text messaging, e-mailing, Facebook and other sites on the internet to speak to one another. What’s missing? You can’t read a person’s body language, see the expression on their face or really hear what they’re saying. The skill of conversation has been obliterated by these social networks – and yes, I use them too. I’ve often been reminded by my children to get into the 21st century.
Having taught public speaking and drama, I know the value of the spoken word and physical interaction between people. You don’t get that in a text message. You can read all kinds of things into an e-mail. In trying to push forward into the rest of this century, we’re really losing something important. Face to face communication allows us to listen, to visualize and to speak spontaneously or with thought. Hopefully thinking before we speak.
One of our greatest difficulties, as we age, is the loss of hearing and sight. Without them we become frustrated, feel lost and helpless. We watch a television show and try to lip read, but that usually doesn’t work. We watch a sunset with cataracts in our eyes and something is missing. As these senses disappear, the same thing is happening when we depend on electronics. Eventually these senses will die.
In all relationships, the key to unlock a good one is communication. If we’re not willing to listen, we’re downgrading the importance of the person were talking to. We’re setting ourselves above them, before we even have a chance to know them. We’re making faulty judgments. Open conversation allows us the chance to see, hear and act upon in an intelligent way. For example, how can you say, “I love you,” in a text message and have it hold any truth. If you do it in person, your sincerity can be heard and seen.
Take time to spend time with those you care about. Make it a point to communicate verbally with those you work with. Put your electronics away for a few weeks and realize you can survive without them. In fact a whole new world might just open up for you.
Great advice! J.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Thanks Vincent and have a blessed weekend❤️
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Likewise Kathy 😍
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Excellent advice. Hadn’t realized we shared such similar backgrounds!
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Thank you, Mitch and I noticed the same although you are reaching much greater heights than I ever did.
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No such thing. Parallel paths. Numbers don’t matter.
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You are too modest, but thank you. I have trouble accepting compliments 😜
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Very true. It’s something I observe everywhere, restaurants, subways, airports, people sit next to each other, couples sitting opposite each other in a restaurant and both are starring at their phone screens! What a sad world we have made this. But the worst at least for, as some people have no problems with that whatsoever, but the worst is when you receive the news of your bother’s death via a short and brutally cold email.
With all the technology, which in so many ways is really good and helpful, I’d say again and again to anyone to please never ever bring the news of the death of someone to their loved ones via email, text message, social media, unless there is absolutely no other way. And yet, there is ALWAYS a way. try and find out their number, contact a friend who lives close by them, get yourself a plane ticket if you can, care so much to NOT bring these news electronically!
Thanks for this great article.
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Thanks for your addition to my article. Your words carry sound advice yet sadness too. I’m so sorry you had to receive word of your brother’s death in this way,
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