Every day we walk by people without a single thought. We don’t
wonder their name, who they are, why they look the way they look. We simply
walk by and continue with our busy lives. Sometimes we don’t even look up from
our phones! With the world turning into a digital era are we destined to only
communicate through technology? Does meeting new people have to be defined by
their Facebook or Twitter account? Do we judge people by the interest they have
on social media and decide who they are by the photos they have; without a
single real interaction?
The world is changing, and human interactions are changing. I have
been judging myself a lot lately and monitoring how much technology I use
daily; I have to say I don’t like where I’m heading! Over the past two months,
I have been actively trying to set my phone aside and have truer human
interactions. I am pleased to report that I have been doing well at this and
made amazing new connections! Just last week I took a friend for an appointment
and had the most wonderful experience.
I took a friend to the VA Clinic where I usually sit in the
waiting room for an hour or two (depends on how long it takes for his
appointment) and play on my cell phone. This time I shut my phone off and put
it away. While I sat quietly looking around I would smile at people hustling
by. I noticed and smiled nicely to an elderly woman and man waiting to be seen.
She smiled back and continued to knit, while he didn’t look up from his
newspaper. The office moved at a quick pace all around us, but they just sat
and waited patiently for their turn. As people shuffled in and out, I observed
the older gentlemen slide his hand over and gently hold the woman’s hand. I
hadn’t noticed her hands were shaking while holding her knitting needles. The man
didn’t even seem to look her way or appear to be paying any attention to the
woman. Somehow, he just knew she needed his hand to encompass her hand. I could
see the tears welling up behind her tired eyes, with a deep sigh she pulls the
tears back and composes herself again. He held her hand for a moment longer
before returning his hand to the newspaper. Never looking her way or making any
other gestures to her. He just knew what she needed at that moment. How did he
know? He didn’t look up from his paper, she made no noise, how did he know?
What a relationship that must be, to just know what your partner needs. What
kind of love must have been shared between this amazing couple for him to know
how to comfort her without uttering a single word. What kind of love must that be for such an
insignificant hand motion to bring her such undying comfort? The touch of his
hand comforted her on such a level I don’t believe I fully understand it all.
The strength this woman displayed in just a single sitting brought
a tear to my eye. I didn’t know what torment she was battling or the pain that
was hiding beneath here strong façade. All I did know, was with a simple touch
of his hand she was ok again. There was no look exchanged between them. No
words of comfort. Simply a slow, compassionate light hand movement and it
changed her whole outlook. You could feel the connection between them.
To this day I don’t know the story behind the elderly couple. All
I know is the way they affected me and my outlook on life.
By turning off my phone and waiting patiently I got to feel the
world around me. I don’t know if the people bustling by witnessed what I
witnessed or if they even cared, but I noticed, and I cared.
Be thankful for the little things in life, the touch of a hand, or
a quick smile. Take the time to notice and be thankful for the people who come
into your life, if only for a moment.
I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks putting down my phone
and seeing what comes of it. I will be sure to share with you all my
experiences and hope you can share some of yours as well!
Comments
Post a Comment