Conversation
Early last year a former colleague of mine called to see what I was up to. We had a terrific “catch-up”. As we were concluding our call he said, “let’s not wait 5 years to have our next conversation.” Since that call we have been doing a monthly call. They are not long, maybe 30 minutes, as he has a very big job in Asia. However, we make good use of our time with an adequate mix of business and personal.
About three weeks ago I connected with a friend that I had met many years ago. We were in different circumstances at that time but I remember how our energy connected in such a positive way. We have recently had a couple of dinners and have discovered the same energy prevailed. We managed to close the restaurant as we talked about everything from politics to children.
Last Easter Sunday my daughter invited me to have Easter lunch with her family. It was a beautiful day after a winter of rain. There was no disciplining of children and no food fights. It was a varied conversation stretching from children’s activities to vacation plans to work. Essentially it was a complete recap of our current lives. I was amazed that we closed the place as we were in no hurry to leave and everyone seemed to be involved in the conversation.
I am paying attention to these three events as they all had one thing in common. The sheer joy of human connectivity and caring. I aware we all have phones. I am as bad as the kids for texting and scrolling through IG. I want to keep it 💯 with you--nothing is better than in-person/real communication. It has all of the emotion and nuance that we as humans are seeking. The light in your eyes when you are enthusiastic, the twinkle when you are flirting, the wrinkle when you disagree but are empathetic enough to understand. Human communication is such a complex set of voices, intonation, language both verbal and body all rolled up into a real time experience. I love writing and I am learning to love reading but there is nothing more rewarding than experiencing verbal connection. It is opening the door to so much more. It is not a conclusion it is the newest chapter no matter how old the book, the chapters keep getting written.
There is someone out there that would love to hear from you. My suggestion is go see them or at the very least give them a call. In addition to these recent conversations…….
i am Grateful————-
For my health and spirit
For my lovely children
For those who love me for who I am not what I have
For my grandchildren and the ones to come
For my ability to help others and communicate
For my ability to be empathetic
For whomever or whatever has allowed all of this be
For the guidance that my father and mother gave to me - may they rest in peace and find happiness in the place they reside
For the hope that i have for mankind
For my optimism and belief that it will all be ok