Hi, Everyone!
I wanted to send my first post out into the great void that is cyberspace. This is my first Blog experience, believe it or not! I sometimes feel like I was born during the wrong time period. Technology often baffles me and often makes me feel like we are losing that personal touch that face-to-face communication provides. We could technically go through our entire day without REALLY having to interact with another human being. We hop in our cars at the beginning of the day perfectly protected from other commuters by glass and steel. Then, we stop at the gas pump and fill our tanks by simply inserting a credit card. We leave the petrol station and head to the bank to deposit some cash. All we have to do is insert the bills into a slot and somehow our money ends up where it is supposed to go. Now, it’s off to the office! Yes, there are lots of people there whom we call co-workers, but most of our communication happens over email and instant messaging—even if the guy we’re emailing is in the cubicle next to us, right? Somehow the art and joy of real communication is getting lost in the mix—AND, lost in translation! Have you had that experience where you send an email or a text that you intend as positive– or, at the very least, neutral—but the recipient misinterprets the tone and suddenly drama ensues? It can be quite frustrating and can take hours to resolve. That’s the trouble with this “short-hand” version of human interaction. I love living in a world (and having a job) where I get to engage people in conversation! But, “they” tell me I also need to (at least) try my hand at the communication styles of the twenty-first century—so, let’s get some interesting blog “conversations” going! I also challenge you to reach out to as many people as possible today in a face-to-face scenario. Go INSIDE the gas station and pre-pay. Ask the store associate how his/her day is going and REALLY make eye contact. Strike up a conversation with the lady (or gent) in line in front of you at the grocery store. Take that co-worker you always email (but don’t really know) out to lunch and find out about his/her life. You’ll be surprised by how wonderful you will feel—and by how wonderful you could make someone else feel. It’s a simple way to make your mark on this planet AND make a mark on the life of another human being. I’d love to hear your stories after you try this—especially if you live in a big city! Here’s to trying new things!

Much Love,

Beth