It's been awhile since I have written in the blog. Just felt pretty disconnected with the world lately. It's been back to the shell again, escaping and a lost of direction. A void that needs to be filled.
How often do we really connect with the environment and those around us? Trapped by the devices that 'çonnects' us to the 'world'. Today I had an insight into how shallow we have become over time. I was totally taken aback when I realise that something that was posted on the net was taken to be fact only to discover that it was part of an ad compaign of a company. I realised how naive we have become to take information as it is without finding out more about them and sharing these information with others. This is ever so misleading. I have learnt an important lesson from this, do not take information as it is. Verify the realiability of the source, find additional information that supports or disconfirm the information, think about the line of arguement, the logic and also the assumptions made and the possible explanations behind observation and thoughts. Do not accept things just it has been said, ehi passiko - come and see - experience it.
Next, how much have we become disconnected with the people and things around us. Have we smelt the flowers or tasted the candies? We often feel connect with many through social media channels sharing our thoughts discussing about things we can do but in the midst of these, we have forgotten the people around us who craves for our attention. Maybe after awhile, communication have been reduce to a mere 160 characters or short comments and remarks, often lacking depth, superficial. Some supporters of the new media would argue otherwise. 'We can share our thoughts, feelings anytime and anywhere. We can have as much depth as we desire.' Perhaps so but thoughts sharing, face to face communication, body language, tone, environment are all factors that make up a conversation. But importantly, are we excluding the things and people around us? Are we really aware of what we are doing? Communication takes effort, time and courage. To disclose our thoughts for criticism, to disclose our vulnerability to others, to remove the facet and be the person that you really are, that takes time and courage. Why do we engage in conversation? It is to share and to reconnect with ourselves, our geninue being of a collective. The need to be human and feel human.
The realisation first came when I went for a run. Armed with an earphone, my smartphone that logs all the distance, pace and time that I have taken, I went running. I enjoyed the music and the regular updates of the distance, time and pace. Then I have decided to remove the earphones and I started to see what was around me, what I have missed all these while when I was plugged in. I enjoyed the breeze , the experience, the others who were plugged in, smiling, talking with their friends. The sound of insects, lizards, cars and many other background noises. I feel one with the world again. The colours of life, the scent, the sound of it all came alive when I decided to unplug.
Some times, we are plugged in so as to escape. To retreat into a place so as to get away from an aversive or undesireable situation. We need space, personal space or an excuse to run away? How do we distinguish space from escape, the choice of when we do what we do. If you find yourself doing certain escapist acts during certain situations that are most often unplanned, you are sure that these are your escape plans. The signal it sends, 'I rather not be here, I rather be somewhere else doing something else, let me be.'
Think about it. Have a conversation, speak and listen with your heart and make it real for you and those you love. Include them.
