This business of blog writing is a funny one. Sometimes, I'm sitting on my professorial chair and dispense advice, high from the top of my "academic knowledge." Other times, I really would like to have a face to face conversation with you, a cup of coffee in hand...and looking at each other. What's your story? Would you tell me more about your life?
But first, a bit of context...lately, the realization that we are becoming a nation of isolated individuals is hitting me. And hitting me hard.
I notice now that in church nobody looks to other people, or makes visual contact...of course, nobody looks at me, as an individual or says hello. (Is that because I'm older, because I'm female, or...?) No, of course not...this is equal opportunity isolation because nobody is really looking at the other parishioners as companions that deserve a friendly Hello.
I notice the small or non-existent communication established with my co-owners, at the place where my condo is (my brain resist to use the word neighbors). Clearly, we are not friends; we only share this geographical space. I do remember the surprise of finding several of us together (ouch!) making a makeshift barbeque after Wilma, the hurricane that had left us without electricity. It forced some conversation between fellow survivors, that ended when we again got connected to the network and the lure of Air Conditioned was stronger than outside companionship
In this dessert of human contact, having a salesperson at the store doing short chitchat with me that sounds a bit more human than customer service fossilized script feels like joy...
And, without surprise, now I can see that I've been doing the same behavior to my readers, giving the silent treatment to you. Lots of days and no writing, no connection, doesn't sound like fostering good links. So, I'm back today, telling you that this craft of creating meaningful conversation in this space is back, and I apologize for the lapse...Now, you know my reasons and the constant lure of giving up because everybody is so encapsulated in his own story/ego/activities...that it feels not worthwhile to try to make bridges.
Well, we do need bridges, communication is food for a basic, demanding emotional human need, and being connected to other humans preserves us from despair and loneliness...When a reader decides to take the plunge and call for a free coaching session, the feeling that we are connected and I can help someone is the gift she gives me!
Musing about the need for connecting is as much as I know today. Knowing that I'm not quitting you might have some value, too.