I’ve wanted to reconnect with a few people for a while. Thanks to Facebook, that’s happened more and more over the last few years. But for the most part, the initial excitement at our virtual reunion dies with the next friend request.
Connecting authentically takes far more time and effort than making a flip comment on a photo. And despite the numerous online connections, I’m still without plans for most weekends and scramble to find a buddy for a last-minute outing. To change that, I’ll have to be more proactive. Ah…just as I’ve prepared the protein portion of my meals for the month, I must prepare to have more of a social life. I started today by booking a coffee date for next week – imagine! – with a friend I haven’t seen for six years. I’m looking forward to it very much.
I was scrolling through the Twitter feed earlier tonight and found out Steve Jobs died. I felt it in my gut. I recognized it as a significant moment in history. I don’t own anything prefixed by i- but I know of the man’s contribution and influence. The tributes and kind words have been pasted and posted everywhere. Just like when Jack Layton died last month. Sudden displays of love and adoration saturated Toronto, and all of Canada.
I began thinking it’s so sad (and terrific) that we show our affection so intensely after someone passes. What about doing that while people are still alive? Flowers, poems, paintings and songs for the living, not the dead. Wouldn’t that be better? That would certainly improve the quality of a person’s life – knowing they are loved, respected, admired, supported or thought of fondly. Those are the very elements that prolong life, ironically offered once it’s over.
Besides improving my own life during these 100 days, I’ll expand it to include others, as well. My new goal is to spend time with – and acknowledge – a friend or loved one each week. This will satisfy my need for connection and it should keep life and my perspective fresh.
It also feels really great to say I love you.
