I recently stumbled upon a box of old post cards and letters from yesteryear, oooh the sight of faded ink and the scent of tainted perfume… I must admit, it stirred nostalgic emotions.
So fast track from the ‘lick and stamp postcard’ era to being poked or simply being sent an emoticon smiley as a hello!
I don’t need to mention that many of us have and maintain virtual relationships. Social networks afford us the ability, at the click of a button, to log into the lives of friends and loved one, view their pictures and keep up with their posts as a way of staying connected.
Sit back though and think, when last did you actually pick up the (smart) phone and take time to hear the voice of that particular special person?
I am no enemy of progress of the cyber world which bends space, time and enables one to connect with folks from all over the globe, so what am I moaning about?
It’s simple, the digital age has diffused, rephrased and reinterpreted the essence of Ubuntu. By definition, it is a quality that includes the essential human virtues; community, compassion and humanity.
The ever demanding urban concrete jungle’s hustle and bustle has many of us forgetting about the little things that matter. Sending an email, WhatsApp, SMS or even a voice message (I see you) seems easier than the spoken word.
An illustration was the discovery that one of my friends, whom I’ve been chatting to, bought a house, got married and his wife was having a baby. I found all this out in cyber space, not knowing that all along, he’s been living five houses from me!
Recently my 93-year-old grandfather kept calling (yes, he owns cellphone) insisting on seeing me. Upon my arrival three days later he simply uttered “I just wanted to say hello”.
Only later it dawned on me… the importance and effect human interaction has on an interpersonal level. It’s saddening to see how (sometimes) we tend to relate more to those we work with or attend school with, than those closest to us.
Another influence of this phenomenal age which has negatively (in my opinion) affected my fellow men and women, not to mention youngsters, are the abbreviations of words.
I dnt gt Y we r 2 lzy 2 spel… Need I say more?
This practice extends to downloading cooking and lifestyle tips from the net, which is far easier than getting together for a girls breakfast. Especially with the amount of women’s chat rooms and blogs springing up all over cyberspace.
To every challenge, there is a solution. So in my quest to address the status quo, I have compelled myself to recommence with the writing of letters, sending of postcards and to #SuperAweh# at least once a month to touch base with those close to me.
