Remember talking? Remember using the voice God gave us to communicate with others? That beautiful voice that you can hear laughter in...sorrow in....truth in...sarcasm in..strength in...love in...people can hear you in....
It doesn’t feel good when you’re at lunch and the person across from you is multitasking. It doesn't feel good when you're riding in the car with someone who is focused on their phone. You are trying to get their attention, but they keep checking their BlackBerry. How annoying! According to Tim Sanders and his book "The Likeability Factor," the way you make people feel is more important than how good you are at your job.
It feels nice to be in a meeting or out to dinner with someone who looks you in the eye and takes a deep interest in the subject at hand. As Maya Angelou said, “People never remember what you say, and they never remember what you do, but they always remember how you make them feel.”
It’s happening more and more. You look around in a crowded coffee shop, or in the airport security line, or at a sporting event. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is on their cell phone, or sending a text message, or checking their emails. There is now a term for this state of mind: “continuous partial attention.”*
Granted it can be a great thing- I love sending "I love you's" to my children, I love staying in touch with old friends but...
I find it sad. There is a time and a place for that. I feel we're missing out on conversations with strangers at the table next to us or in line with us; all because we're looking at our dumb phones.
To surf the wave of information comin at ya’ everyday, you can only be somewhat accessible and somewhat inaccessible. For if you dive too deep into any one email, your inbox will fill up faster than you can say, “I’m going crazy!” You know you suffer from continuous partial attention if:-You don’t have time to stop and listen to a random street musician playing beautiful music, because who the heck has time for that when you have 13 text messages to reply to and 43 emails in your inbox?-You dare to read your text messages while you’re driving.-Hello???? You can no longer sit through a 2-hour movie at the cinema because you're too busy. (Watched the man in front of me surf- (the net) at the last movie I was at.) He was with his children too:-(
The answer to continuous partial attention is learning to ward off distraction and be present in the moment. By taking the time to turn off the cellphone before important meetings, by having the respect to be fully present when around your children (and for all you "children" be present when around your parents), and by daring to take 2 hours to set your mind free at the movies, or on a walk, you naturally become more present.
To surf the wave of information comin at ya’ everyday, you can only be somewhat accessible and somewhat inaccessible. For if you dive too deep into any one email, your inbox will fill up faster than you can say, “I’m going crazy!” You know you suffer from continuous partial attention if:-You don’t have time to stop and listen to a random street musician playing beautiful music, because who the heck has time for that when you have 13 text messages to reply to and 43 emails in your inbox?-You dare to read your text messages while you’re driving.-Hello???? You can no longer sit through a 2-hour movie at the cinema because you're too busy. (Watched the man in front of me surf- (the net) at the last movie I was at.) He was with his children too:-(
The answer to continuous partial attention is learning to ward off distraction and be present in the moment. By taking the time to turn off the cellphone before important meetings, by having the respect to be fully present when around your children (and for all you "children" be present when around your parents), and by daring to take 2 hours to set your mind free at the movies, or on a walk, you naturally become more present.
It doesn’t feel good when you’re at lunch and the person across from you is multitasking. It doesn't feel good when you're riding in the car with someone who is focused on their phone. You are trying to get their attention, but they keep checking their BlackBerry. How annoying! According to Tim Sanders and his book "The Likeability Factor," the way you make people feel is more important than how good you are at your job.
It feels nice to be in a meeting or out to dinner with someone who looks you in the eye and takes a deep interest in the subject at hand. As Maya Angelou said, “People never remember what you say, and they never remember what you do, but they always remember how you make them feel.”
One who is more present is a better parent. We best teach our children that information overload is not a positive thing. A wise one said, “Children don’t need your presents. They need your presence.” I have a mantra that I believe is a good example to set for children: Everyday of your life (no matter how busy you are), enjoy one beautiful moment, one delicious moment, and one funny moment.
God Bless You Everyone- & Remember Your Presence is your Present... make it whole. No one wants half of anything-
2 comments:
Wow! What is this world coming to, and what will be next? I like plain old chit-chat...Talk to you tomorrow, Love Ericka
i couldnt agree more. Great blog. Wish Bree the best and have asuper fun day xo heather
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