Now more than ever human contact is one of the most important things we can have. The technology introduced to us was to be used as a tool to facilitate and expand our knowledge. It was supposed to be used on a necessity basis. The fact that we are more in tune with the algorithm or a program or a social media influencer that we have never met, is outstanding to hear as we have slowly traded the one thing that makes us wonderful for the convenience of a screen. We have become compliant, accepting the digital substitute for the real thing.
Human contact, the feelings, the emotions that we all carry. Our energy when shared can alter a person’s day for the better. This here is something you cannot pass along through a computer screen, a text message or a video. It doesn’t carry the same impact as being physically present with another person.
I remember growing up and witnessing the gatherings, the contact, the love shared by those who were present, the jokes. We were very social back in those days, people would show up to the door unannounced and it would be so welcoming. The neighbours gathering together to help out with the car fixes on the driveway or the garden upkeep. I had a neighbour that when were done playing out on the road until dark she would have us go over to enjoy freshly made goodies. In the winter time my parents had a rink for the neighborhood kids to come skate on, accompanied with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Family gatherings, there was no, I’ll see, oh I’ll let you know. It was just known that you would be present for all celebrations.
I miss those days, the days of union, the days of laughter and silly shenanigans. I look at my children and see that they have been robbed of that experience, everything today is so measured and programmed. People feel that they have to text to ask if they can call, they have to make appointments to drop in even if they are right at your doorstep. Someone rings the door bell you get anxious and even pretend not to be home so that you didn’t have to deal with someone. It is backwards, it boggles my mind and I would be very offended when people/family would travel up to my city and never tell me they were there. I also felt odd when travelling down to their area and being right at their doorstep and never calling or even popping in, but I was never given that “permission” to do so as times have changed and the openness and warmth for that never arose. I kept having friends say oh we will get together soon, oh how I miss you all, and yet eight years pass by before seeing them again.
I lost many family members who during 2020 wouldn’t come to speak with us but wanted us to be on the computer talking. That was something I was never going to participate in, I had my online discussions with people that were out of the country. For people that lived so close to me and chose not to have any human contact with myself and my family, I would not be giving into that conditioning and refused to entertain such an absurd idea.
People are closed up, not interacting, that human connection is getting lost. We have over complicated life and it is so easily fixable. You have a friend you miss them, call them, and go to them. You need some help, ask for it, going through a tough situation, and share your experience. Many prefer to talk to strangers in the medical profession rather than a friend out of fear or of judgment and shame.
We don’t need to plan the five course meal to be able to hang out, we don’t need to plan a restaurant outing to spend time with each other. Just the fact that you can openly get together in any setting to catch up, to maybe lend an ear or have a few laughs is all that is required.
We are made for connections, and our technology has taken over that, most think that liking a post is good enough, but how easy is that? Have we just been so lazy and compliant that we no longer have the desire to connect? Is this world becoming so disconnected and artificial that we are losing the magic that comes with being humans?
We are made for connection, and our technology has stolen that from us—only because we let it. We don't need to plan the perfect day. We don't need to validate a relationship with a 'like.' We just need to show up. The magic of being human is waiting on the other side of the door. Go open it