Have We Forgotten...

Remember when you used to go over to people's houses to catch up? Or if they were far away right a letter, put a stamp on it, and send it off. Sometimes you would enclose pictures. Remember being so excited to get mail hoping you got a post card from a friend who was visiting Disney World? Now we get text messages, twitter updates, or Facebook replies for all these things. There is not full effort in our interactions. When was the last time I sat down and had coffee with a dear friend to find out how things are going with them? I would say at least 6 months.

Today, a good friend of mine and I went to lunch after going by his work for car related stuff (and trust me... if you need any body or collision work done on your car... he is your guy). So, anyway, sitting there having lunch I thought "when have I done this last?". When is the last time I made lunch plans for the sincere desire to connect with a person? Or just to go out and get away from the phone, the computer, the tablet.... (the list goes on) and saw someone face to face.

I think we have gotten so comfortable with technology. I have joked in half seriousness that "Facebook makes me a better friend. I always know people's birthdays". I have like 800 Facebook friends, and I appreciate every single one and the connection I have with them from having gone to elementary school with them or Cal Poly or worked with them in some capacity... to going to church with them or having met them through someone else or we share some common interest. However, a shout out on Facebook is not connecting. Facebook does not allow or give me the real opportunity to invest in the person. That is who I am... a connector.

I love connecting with people and helping other people connect together. I was talking to my friend, Will, today about my long term business idea of networking. Connecting people to others who have services they provide. People that I can give personal testament too. I am blessed with talented people in my life from Photographers, DJ's, Real Estate, Car mechanics, Car Sales, Event Coordinators, to those who have their own businesses from jewelry, make up, clothing stores, baby sitters, nannys,.... you name it. Connecting is what is important and filling needs where we can. We are people who love to connect, even introverted people like to align themselves with others in some capacity.

I am challenging myself.... I have 2 days off of work a week.... and sometimes evenings. I want to use those opportunities to connect. Whether that is with one of the girl's from the youth group, or someone from church, or a friend whom has been going back and forth with me about being busy and we never have time to get coffee or dinner. I don't do fake relationships (I can't fake feelings or put on the fake face), I want genuine around me. I love people (as a whole). Yes, I am confronted with those who test those limits daily, but truly I desire to be around people and connect. To go beyond the surface. Facebook, Twitter.... all surface. When I first got Facebook you had to have a college email account and it was for really connected and networking (much like LinkedIn). Now it is a madhouse where people live lives more through that than away from it. Facebook is a very powerful tool both positive and negative. It can hurt relationships and make you work a lot less to maintain them. Nothing can ever best replace face to face, same room contact.

So challenge yourself-- find that person you have not talked to in a while and invite them to coffee.