What the world needs now…

This week has been a time of personal reflection for me.  I guess it’s because we are heading into the “holiday” season when thoughts of special gatherings, being with the people we love begin to shape our thoughts and hopes for the future.

I’m sure you’ve all noticed what is happening to us as humans now that technology has found permanent residency in our lives.  24/7.  In our offices, our kitchens, our cars, our bedrooms and even our bathrooms – technology comes with us sharing a view of the world that can shape our thoughts and beliefs before we have a chance to form them ourselves.

And while I love all that technology can do “for” us, I am unsettled by what it is doing “to” us.  And not just us so-called grown ups here on LinkedIn, but more so to our children and grandchildren.  I remember a visit to a restaurant where a toddler sitting in a highchair had their own screen keeping them entertained.  And rather than learning what it means to be human by watching others communicate and interact, seeing the facial expressions of their parents and siblings, learning what it means to be human, their mind was on the message on the screen.  It was heartbreaking and prophetic.

What if we chose……

To unplug even if only for a few minutes every day.

To listen rather than talk.

To ask rather than tell.

To not worry about “likes” but rather human connection.

To serve rather than take a selfie.

To not play a role in the comparison culture that has been created.

To contribute and create rather than consume.

To not worry about “followers” but care for the community you serve.

To breath instead of scrolling.

To learn how to problem solve rather than googling.

We seem to have forgotten why we are here, that we are responsible for managing what we take in and how we respond. It’s time to ditch the distractions that come from strangers and be there for each other.  It’s time for a deep reset - a radial proposition these days