A Small Disconnected Wish

I have a small wish. Can we communicate with each other again? Can we connect again? I'm sure this will be one of my next SoulCollage(R) cards.

I noticed the trend when I returned to college in the early 2000s. I'm walking to/from class and everyone walking around me is on their cell phone. At the time I thought that cell phones were a great way to stay connected. Now, I view this as a disconnect. People are making themselves unavailable for the others around them who want to say hello or start a conversation. It can't be just me who thinks this way. Do I have a cell phone? Yes. Do I want to walk around with it on my ear all day? NO.

Besides, I don't like hearing the details of others' conversations. It is somehow creepy to me when it sounds personal and the other person has NO idea that the person to whom they are speaking are broadcasting their life for me to hear.

Today, the mailman was delivering our mail in my building. I came downstairs to leave and of course he didn't hear me because of the earbuds of his I-Pod. Well okay, I love music too. A lot. Yet, here is another opportunity to "disconnect" from other people. MP3 Players. Oh sure, I have to have one so I can use it when I am walking outdoors. Yet, we just can't connect anymore, even in the gym, because of course, everyone around me is wearing earbuds.

I hate to even have a question because then I have to find someone who is "receptive," in other words, not hiding behind a phone or MP3 player. And yes, you are hiding. I don't want to interrupt anyone. I have problems interrupting. So go ahead, make it even harder for me.

Because of the labels I'm putting on this, I'm sure it will be brought up by electronic geeks and not true wish-seekers. I'm a digital geek too, so no offense intended.

Can we communicate again? Can we connect with new people in life besides on the internet?

I wish,

Mary