Facebook statuses. Tweets. Updates. Everyone nowadays knows what you are up to, where you are going, what you are doing, what your likes are, what your dinner is, who your enemies and friends are. Sometimes, when I think about these things, I feel like people are giving up their privacy, either unknowingly or unintentionally.
We are now living in a very "connected" world, as they say; this is what commercialism has been teaching us since the advent of phones, mobile devices, PDAs, and internet.
But, take a look around you. Gone were the days when you would have to set aside a whole weekend to meet your relatives living somewhere far from home. No longer do friends send letters through snail mails. Mr. Postman no longer walks around the neighborhood to give you the letters you've been expecting for a week. Going out for a walk or a nice talk under the moon can now be done by the use of internet. (Where's the thrill of holding each other's hand in there?) Love letters became "wall messages" and tweets.
It is true that communication has been way, way faster these days than it was decades ago. It truly made our lives easier. We can do more things because information are shared faster. We became more efficient. But like any other things, use in excess is not good. In a very connected world, we're losing the "human" touch.
Which would you prefer, someone telling you directly, face to face, how beautiful you are or simply commenting on your profile picture? Which is more exciting for you, the sound of your mobile phone when you receive a text message or when you tear that sealed envelope to open that letter? You did a good job at work, would like to received a "good job" message from your boss's email or a pat on the back coming from him? I know it's really cute watching your baby kiss the screen of the phone or computer whenever you talked to her. But how about letting those sweet little lips touch your cheeks and her little arms thrown around your neck after a hard day's work?
I am not saying that these modern devices are bad or evil. I am not saying that we should go back to sticks and stones, bamboos and tree leaves to communicate. Technology is gonna be here with us for a very a long time, even after we're gone. But what I am trying to say here is something you already know. That is, it is not true that if you disconnect from these devices and gadgets, you will be living a disconnected life. Instead, it may just be the opposite.
Try to disconnect from your "world" for a short time, say for a day, and see how much changes it could give you. You will have more time to attend to other "manual" things. You can have time to go out, feel the sunshine upon your skin, feel the breeze touching your face, yes, even the dust and smokes of the city, you'll feel them once again. But more importantly, you will feel again how to be connected with "real" people. Can you still remember how it feels to laugh with your friends, be smiled upon and smile to a stranger you meet in the street? Take a day away from your "connected" world and get real connection with the people that matters to you the most. Re-connect with nature and see how you may be re-energized by the silence of the woods or the beach or the rushing waters of the rivers.
"What if I missed important things while I'm disconnected to the world?" you may ask. Let me answer that with a question too, "Aren't you already missing the most important things in life?"
As I have said, these things are gonna be here for a long time. Tomorrow, they may have different looks and names, but they will still be here. How about your family, your friends, your neighbors, people you love... are they gonna be here forever?
You know all these things already. I am just here to remind you. And as I remind you, through this "connected" world of the world wide web, I hope that I have made a little contribution for you to BE MORE and LIVE THE GOOD LIFE.
We are now living in a very "connected" world, as they say; this is what commercialism has been teaching us since the advent of phones, mobile devices, PDAs, and internet.
But, take a look around you. Gone were the days when you would have to set aside a whole weekend to meet your relatives living somewhere far from home. No longer do friends send letters through snail mails. Mr. Postman no longer walks around the neighborhood to give you the letters you've been expecting for a week. Going out for a walk or a nice talk under the moon can now be done by the use of internet. (Where's the thrill of holding each other's hand in there?) Love letters became "wall messages" and tweets.
It is true that communication has been way, way faster these days than it was decades ago. It truly made our lives easier. We can do more things because information are shared faster. We became more efficient. But like any other things, use in excess is not good. In a very connected world, we're losing the "human" touch.
Which would you prefer, someone telling you directly, face to face, how beautiful you are or simply commenting on your profile picture? Which is more exciting for you, the sound of your mobile phone when you receive a text message or when you tear that sealed envelope to open that letter? You did a good job at work, would like to received a "good job" message from your boss's email or a pat on the back coming from him? I know it's really cute watching your baby kiss the screen of the phone or computer whenever you talked to her. But how about letting those sweet little lips touch your cheeks and her little arms thrown around your neck after a hard day's work?
I am not saying that these modern devices are bad or evil. I am not saying that we should go back to sticks and stones, bamboos and tree leaves to communicate. Technology is gonna be here with us for a very a long time, even after we're gone. But what I am trying to say here is something you already know. That is, it is not true that if you disconnect from these devices and gadgets, you will be living a disconnected life. Instead, it may just be the opposite.
Try to disconnect from your "world" for a short time, say for a day, and see how much changes it could give you. You will have more time to attend to other "manual" things. You can have time to go out, feel the sunshine upon your skin, feel the breeze touching your face, yes, even the dust and smokes of the city, you'll feel them once again. But more importantly, you will feel again how to be connected with "real" people. Can you still remember how it feels to laugh with your friends, be smiled upon and smile to a stranger you meet in the street? Take a day away from your "connected" world and get real connection with the people that matters to you the most. Re-connect with nature and see how you may be re-energized by the silence of the woods or the beach or the rushing waters of the rivers.
"What if I missed important things while I'm disconnected to the world?" you may ask. Let me answer that with a question too, "Aren't you already missing the most important things in life?"
As I have said, these things are gonna be here for a long time. Tomorrow, they may have different looks and names, but they will still be here. How about your family, your friends, your neighbors, people you love... are they gonna be here forever?
You know all these things already. I am just here to remind you. And as I remind you, through this "connected" world of the world wide web, I hope that I have made a little contribution for you to BE MORE and LIVE THE GOOD LIFE.
