Information Age

As this week carries on, I see how difficult it can be to really listen ALL the time. There is so much being communicated to us, it's hard to keep up! They aren't kidding when they talk about us being in the "information age". Wait! There's too much information, I'm on information overload! Can we re-group? From computers, cell phones, texting, TV, DVD's, radio (sattelite these days), facebooking, tweeting, you name it, we've got it at our disposal.

If we have all of these means of communicating, you think we would be on the same page, right? Why aren't we? What has happened to us? It seems to be easier to send an email to someone verses picking up the phone or GOD forbid, stopping by for a visit. (SMILE) I'm right there with everyone else but just pointing out this "information age" we are living in. What are we missing in this process? I think it comes down to real human connection. In our attempt to connect with more people in the most efficient way possible, we have lost our ability to develop relationships in the most natural way GOD has intended.

In our challenge for the week on listening, I am finding two things and I don't think I am alone in these outcomes. First, it has been difficult for me to fully be present all the time and actively listen. I guess I never realized how distracted I can be with my own thoughts and other distractions that naturally come into play during times when I have been attempting to listen. Second, we spend so much time with technology that we have moved away from some forms of human connection...which makes the art of listening that much more difficult. We can listen, don't get me wrong but when we email and text for example verses talking in person or even over the phone, things get missed, or misinterpreted...possibly misunderstood. If you think about the fact that 75% of our communication is non-verbal, it is easy to see how miscommunication in today's age can occur. I wonder what the heck would happen to us if we woke up tomorrow and all of our technology was gone. After the initial shock, I think there would be some re-thinking of how we interact with each other. What do you think?

It has been an interesting week for sure in my challenge to actively and reflectively listen. As well, messages from the angels (repeat messages) have been very clear for me to hear with much of it referring back to listen, listen, LISTEN! At the very least, the messages tell me there is more to pay attention to, more to fully hear. I suppose that is the challenge in listening!