September 15, 2007 - Checking Out |
It seems to me that there has never been a time when the world has been more populated, more crowded, more accessible in terms of television and internet, and yet we've never been more disconnected from one another. If I turn my phone off, I can go entire weekends without uttering a word out loud. Its Saturday night here at the moment and I realized I have not spoken a word since yesterday. I laughed at something on television and the sound of my own laughter seemed out of place.
We can do our banking online, or at ATM's. If we have friends and relatives who live long distances away, we can e-mail them to save on phone calls. I live in the same apartment complex as another girl at the office, yet we do not carpool. But I have found that straw that breaks the camel's back....these straws are almost always slightly insignificant and usually pretty arbitrary in my life. Self Check-Out registers at stores is where I have drawn the line in the sand in regards to social disconnection. I've used these things only once and it was one of the singularly most depressing experiences in my life. No one said hello, no one asked if I wanted paper or plastic, and there was no one for me to smile at and say "Have a good day!" when the transaction was complete. I did notice a 'watcher' of sorts standing at a podium, I suppose in case something goes wrong at the machines, but she wasn't making eye contact.
We have self-check out at our library here, but I refuse to use it. I will stand in line behind a dozen people who have to dig for money in the bottom of pockets and purses to pay late fees, who are checking out piles of books. If I didn't, I would have missed the unexpected gift of a short conversation with the elderly man who commented on the fact that I was checking out quite a few books. I replied that I was going to be staying with my mother in the hospital while she had knee surgery. He got the kindest look in his eyes, looked directly into mine, and smiled. Touching my hand, he told me that I would be greatly blessed in life for such a thing.
Fast and convenient can't hold a candle to smiles and chance blessings. |
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September 16, 2007 - Thank you |
| Posted by pk |
One of the best things I've read in a long time.
Thank you. |
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September 17, 2007 - Staying connected. |
| Posted by KitKat |
Well said and thank you for reminding us how important it is to stay connected.
When I read your words, I hear a voice in my head and it's like your here with me and we're connected in a small way.
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September 17, 2007 - Checking In |
| Posted by Ginafish |
Isara feels like a human connection lifeline for me most days. This Tuesday marks my 7th anniversary of staying at home and quitting work. It is the anniversary of a not having a regular dose of adult conversation that extends the boundaries of my family. In the early days of staying at home, I would tackle my husband at the end of his work day and talk and talk and talk and talk. All day I had sat at home and cooed at a newborn. I still go to the store, and start a conversation with anyone if they look at the soup funny. :D
Thank you friends at Isara for giving me a place to share my thoughts during the day. For adult conversations, and for positive thoughts. Hopefully, one day, we'll be able look at each others eyes, and remember the old days when we didn't know what made the other persons eyes sparkle. :)
Thanks T. :)
Edited by Ginafish on September 17, 2007 at 06:36 |
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