Progress???

I was able to go for a ride today for the first time in a few months.  Riding on a motorcycle tends to give you a different view on the roads.  The most dramatic difference is that there is nothing blocking your view in any direction you turn.  This gives me an amazing ability to pay attention to the various cars around me and yes, even look inside.  Of course, the other major difference is that while you're riding, it's VERY hard to be talking on the phone, texting or doing anything else hence the attention paid to what you're doing is greater, I believe.  As I traveled on my little ride I became very aware of just how many people were spending time on their phones while in the car.  This got me to thinking about a recent experience I had.  Since I've started working for a Hospice company, I've had the chance to meet some incredible people with some life stories that span many years and include some amazing changes.  I recently had an experience with a wonderful 93 year old man.  This man happened to spend much of his time working for a phone company.  I was amazed as he told me stories about the technology moving from a switch board, party lines, rotary phones, dial tones, and now to the miracles of cell phones.  This great man was around to see it all.  As we talked about the progress that has been made he made some comments that got me to start thinking a little.  He told me a story of a time he was working behind a switchboard and was able to somewhat eavesdrop on the operator and noticed how when she got notice someone was trying to make a call, she plugged in the appropriate line and had a wonderful 5 minute conversation before she ever patched the phone call through.  He talked about how personal the phone was at that time and you were able to get to know the operator and the operator was able to know the people requesting her assistance.  He then talked about the move to cell phones and some of the changes he has noticed in his own life.  He spoke about the times when he would be able to call his children at home and there was always a possibility his grandkids could answer the phone and he would have the chance to catch up with them and chat for a while before asking to speak with his children.  He lamented about how it seems now days everyone has their own personal cellphones and unless you call them directly, there is very little chance you'll "accidentally" get to talk to them.  Then you add to that the ability to text, email and have instant messaging on the phone and the amount of personal conversation decreases even more.  I made a comment about how amazing it is how far we've come in technology.  He looked at me and commented while technologically it may be progress, socially it's been a huge setback.  In our society today I wonder how much we are relying on the technology that has been developed to communicate with one another missing out on the social connection that used to be so prevalent.  

With these two experiences, I got to wondering how long it's been since people in general have taken the opportunity to shut down the phones, get together with someone, and just have a totally uninterrupted conversation.  I also began to wonder, when was the last time you have taken some time to talk to someone older than you to hear some of their great stories they have to share.  Children, when was the last time you heard the story of how your parents met and dated from their point of view?  Grandchildren, when was the last time you reached out to your grandparents to hear the stories of their youth and how the world has changed as they lived?  When was the last time you turned your phone off while spending time with a dear friend, a spouse, a love and provided them your full uninterrupted attention?  Parents, when was the last time you spent some one-on-one time with your children and actually listened to their stories?  There is a lot of great wisdom and insight that can be gained if we but will take a chance to stop and actually talk with one another.  I know I haven't been the best with this and could definitely do better.  I believe this is why I have been led to the job I currently have.  I consider myself lucky that now part of my job is learning to be present while listening to some wonderful and enlightening stories.  I hope this translates more in my personal relationships as well.  I encourage us all to practice taking small moments, put down some of that "progress" we can't live without, and talk with those among us who did and with each other.  I believe if we all started practicing this, our connection with one another would grow and enhance. And then maybe, we can actually start making some real progress in our lives.