By Mark H.
Nothing has been used more
frequently (other than when we were born) in describing our Generation than
“connected”. Hell, we literally invented social networking. But it goes
much deeper than poking a friend of a friend that was tagged in the same photo album
you were once. I’m not against it, let’s just be real for a hot second. Why are
we so connected? Even if you’re that guy
that stays at home all day and night surfing the web, I bet my right hand you
are on forums and message boards peering at what others write and, dare I say
it, posting comments! Yes, this indeed is another way we connect. My point here
is this: no matter who you are, you long for human connection. This age, the
information age, has given us the glorious high-speed internet, cell phones,
and far out computers. These things make it way easy to click-click-type our
way into a conversation, or base relationship with someone living who knows
where. We are connected because we have the tools, and we have the desire.
How We Connect
We are catching on that Facebook
and others are the new mingling, but creates no real value in relationships. It
is a great way to accent an existing
one, but not to exclusively establish the new. You meet an old friend at a
party, hey it’s all good, but you don’t make
old friends in the time span of a few drinks or a house rave (Unless you have
some serious life-story-telling skills that I should know about). We are constantly
on our toes about that true “relationship”, and keep our hunters eye out for
it. Let’s not get too deep though. When I say “relationship” I don’t necessarily
mean dating. You have a relationship with your Starbucks barista, even if only
for a short time every few days (or hours). You have an accord with your
parents, your friends, maybe your dog or cat. You find common ground with someone (or something?), and you spend time
there. The best example that comes to mind is sports fans. Seeing a peer with
your teams’ jersey on instantly puts Him or Her on your good side. Now you have
something to gab and laugh over. Try to think of just one friend that has
nothing in common with you. I’ll wager against it. Now that you are aware how you
connect, you can refine your skills and make new friends more seamlessly…or
not.
Yours Truly,
-Mark H.
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