“Find the time, take the time, make the time to smile, to speak a kind word, to recognize another person…”
This week I had an interesting encounter with a random stranger. I was walking to my mailbox to pick up my daily mail when I saw a young man, probably in his late teens, walking down the sidewalk.
Picture this…It was a sunny day and the temperature was in the mid-70’s. There was a slight breeze and just a few clouds in the sky…in other words, a perfect summer day…
This young man greeted me with a big smile and said, “This looks like a great neighborhood! I live over by the high school and I have never walked back here before. It’s beautiful!”
“Yes, it certainly is a beautiful neighborhood…and a great day to go for a walk.” I replied. We continued to share a short conversation and it was a refreshing experience.
After we parted ways, I have to admit that, at first, I was slightly shocked, not by the comments but rather from the age of the individual making them.
I have noticed in recent years how many teenagers have become less socially inclined as many rarely make eye contact with strangers and usually turn their attention to the palm of their hand to stare at their phones (and many adults unfortunately are also doing the same…) Scrolling and staring…as the rest of the world goes by…
With the invention of smartphones, we have become less social and there is now an entire generation who has grown up in a world in which smartphones have always existed.
But the ability to engage in a basic conversation, read body cues, make eye contact, exchange a smile and greet a total stranger is becoming less and less common.
Why? Well, I think for the most part, it is because we just don’t have to…our smartphones become a substitute…a replacement for human interaction…and unfortunately, we are losing the “art of conversation.”
Please understand that I am not anti-technology. I taught elementary-age students technology for almost 30 years…But I do see the negative impact that screens and the constant use of them, has seemed to create for people of all ages.
The next time you go out in public, take a moment to look around you and watch how people interact and I think you will be surprised by the lack of actual conversations that take place.
So how can we change this?
Maybe we need to find a balance ... .We need to prioritize and keep track of our screen time, limit it and replace that “lost time” with as much variety as we can…Pulling ourselves away from our screens will remind us that we live in a world filled with so much more…including other people…
People we can spend time with, share moments with…laugh with…There is an entire world filled with possibilities of places to go and experiences to enjoy…all without a screen.
And when you do talk with people, try to focus on kindness and patience. Who knows…today you could be talking with someone who wants to share their joys…or their concerns…or their memories…or maybe someone who is trying their best not to fall apart…and your words and your interactions with them, will end up making all the difference…
Conversations can unite us, bring us together and give us hope. One kind word can change someone’s day…including your own.
So the next time you are tempted to pull out your smartphone in public, take a moment to stop, look around and engage in a conversation with those around you. You might end up being very glad you did…
What do you think?
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Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video…
Residents of a senior living center had trouble working their cell phones until a group of computer savvy Gen-Zers came up with a plan to save the day. Steve Hartman has their story in "On the Road."
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
Three numbers away…
June 29th marks what would have been the 29th birthday of one of our local news broadcasters, Neena Pacholke, who died by suicide almost two years ago. A “Walk to Remember” up Rib Mountain is taking place on her birthday with a local mental health organization, Granite House, sponsoring the walk and handing out mental health information to participants.
Remembering a special person who left us too soon…If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for help…You are not alone…
What I am watching…
I love watching PBS and a few weeks ago I discovered a series called The Outlaws. The series is a combination of drama and comedy, which follows seven strangers from very different backgrounds who are forced to complete community service together, painting over graffiti on abandoned buildings.
Their luck changes when they find a bag of money, but they are not the only ones looking for it, and the bag's true owners are dangerous criminals. The series is set in Bristol and I love the actors and actresses in it, most notably Christopher Walken. I just finished season one and am looking forward to watching season 2.
What I am reading…
This week I finished up reading our book club selection from the church where I work. I have talked about this book before in my newsletter and I can’t emphasize enough how impressed I was with the content of this book.
Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness by Houston Kraft is a fabulous read that gives you many ideas on how to add acts of kindness into your everyday life.
The Amazon description is as follows: “Practicing kindness is an essential step in helping to repair a world that has grown to be more divisive, lonely, and anxious than ever. But with quotes like “Just be kind” or “Throw kindness around like confetti,” we’ve oversimplified what it takes to actually demonstrate kindness in a world crying out for it.
Deep Kindness pairs anecdotes with actions that can make real change in our own lives, the lives of others, and throughout the world. Diving into the types of kindness the world needs most today, this book takes an honest look at the gap between our belief in kindness and our ability to practice it well—and shows us how to put intention into action. Exploring everything from the empathy gap to the skill of emotional regulation, Deep Kindness is perfect for anyone who believes in a kinder world and recognizes that there is a lot of work to do before we achieve it.”
What I love most about this book is that I can go back to it again and again to refresh myself with reminders of specific ideas on how to dive deeper into acts of kindness. Making time every day to do at least one act of kindness is such a healthy and worthwhile experience and I love how this book has helped me with that goal.
This week’s Substack share…
This week I discovered a Substack entitled On the Cusp with Maddie Burton. I discovered it while reading another post that Maddie made for another of my Substack favorite’s The Books That Made Us by M.E. Rothwell.
I urge you to read Maddie’s beautiful essay about her favorite book, The Runaway Bunny. It is very inspiring and it is entitled I Will Walk Across the Air to You.
This week’s TED Talk…
Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Here's Julian Treasure to help you fix that. As the sound expert demonstrates some useful vocal exercises and shares tips on how to speak with empathy, he offers his vision for a sonorous world of listening and understanding.
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Here’s All You Need is Love by The Beatles...Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….
"How do we change this?" Um, first we need to ask, "Do we want to change this?" That's not the given you think it is.