Who's advancing?

Smart watches, smart phones, smart televisions, and smart cars—technology has truly advanced the world in which we live. We can schedule time like never before, speak to others across the globe, watch our favorite shows in better than life-like quality, order dinner, groceries, or pretty much whatever by just saying to machines “order this or order that.” Then too, we can tell rather than drive cars where we wish to go. No complaints from this side, I love it! However, it does beg the question of are we paying too much attention to things and diverting ourselves too much from the living/thinking/breathing people around us? Without a doubt, technology is great, and for various reasons I am a proponent of its continued advancement. However, at the same time, we cannot forget about that which truly makes this world unique and life itself worth living: you and me. When together, we have the extraordinary opportunity to laugh, love, build, create, converse, cultivate, live!
 
Remember the lyrics to the song that sang “getting to know you?” Well, nothing has changed, doing just that is still an exciting, beautiful, and necessary thing. Challenge yourself with one or all these. While next at lunch or dinner with family or friends, try not watching the televisions that are all around you or accessing your phone for thirty, ok, twenty minutes. When you next see someone with a nice smile, hairdo, wearing a particularly complementary ensemble, or doing a really great job at something, don’t just think the thought, tell them so. Rather than watching that television show that keeps you on the edge of your seat, have a conversation with a friend or loved one with the intent to get to know them a little better. (Just don’t forget to set your TV to record your show, LOL!) Also, why not take a walk with a friend or play a game that requires human group interaction. (Taboo, charades, or Monopoly anyone?)
 
While advancing technology can be wonderful, the essence of living life is still not about things, but people. Also, for people, human beings to advance, there must be continued positive and real human interaction. Even though the advancement of technology is desired and important to the forward progress of civilization, the constant spiritual, mental, and emotional evolution of you and me is nothing less than essential for our world to move forward in a healthy and positive way. As a people, we have done great things, and we have the capability to do and be even greater. However, as we make these great and wondrous advancements, we must not sacrifice the sound of hearing good laughter, the wonder in seeing the light in a child’s eyes when learning a new thing, the feeling when holding a loved one close, or the shared excitement when a mutual team goal is achieved. These wonders are a key part of our legacy and culture as sentient human beings.
 
As we continue to advance, let us also make sure that these continue to play a significant positive part in our future as we steadily trek forward, out, and up! It is like this that I look forward to seeing you, on the Road of Victory.

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