We live in a digitized world, severed from human contact. Every morning people wake up, and the first thing they do is check their phones, not their loved ones. The sad part is, that we know more about our “facebook friends” activities than our real friends and family.
We spend too much time staring at our screens. No wonder we are now more disconnected from ourselves and other people than ever before. We have also lost contact to our feelings, emotions and have forgotten how to converse with others. We rely on texting or technology to communicate to one another. We are losing FACE TIME with the people we love. This is a tragedy. When we lose human touch we become depressed, lonely and fearful. Statistics have shown that people who spend 4 hours or more in front of their screens are overweight, have less meaningful relationships and less sex drive.
In “Reclaiming Conversation”, it concludes that technology has made us less empathetic towards one another. There is so much anger and hate on the net. The world has become a sadder place. Creativity and deep conversations have suffered from this phenomena as well.
It’s easy to get seduced by technology because it makes everything seem simpler. Want to meet new people? Just make an account on a dating site and meet thousands of people with a simple finger swipe.
Social media allows us to control what we share. It appeals to our vulnerability and our vanity. We only show the images we want others to see. Some have cemented the bars to their own technological prison.
There is hope! We must teach others how to reconnect with our humanity. Call someone today, and ask them to meet you and spend some time together. Human contact is what we all crave for. When you meet these people-give them a hug. Science says we need 5 hugs a day. It’s true. Look into someone’s eyes, and tell them how you feel about them. Laugh, go dancing, take a walk together in nature. Re-discover the beauty of having a real connection with another human being. There is nothing like it. Learn to listen more, only through understanding others can you discover your true self.
Make a human effort, and the rewards are plentiful. I have found, that given a chance, you will find something special in everyone you meet. Making the world better should be your mission, and for me, it’s the meaning and purpose of life.
It’s time to stop just living on the screens of social media and start paying attention to the messages that our bodies are trying to tell us. When you hear the whispers of your dreams and desires, follow them, they will lead you to your bliss.
“An artists job is to remind us of our common humanity”
Whenever artists or business people come to see me, they tell me what their needs are or what they would like to learn. Some are very clear about what they want, others are not. I have realized that, for this learning process to be successful, it can’t be a one-way street. It’s not only what you want from your teacher, but also what your teacher wants from YOU.
I came up with a contract, which states exactly what I need from each student. Finding a great teacher can be difficult, but finding a great student is also difficult.
If you don’t exactly know how be a great “learner” you will not be successful in any class – even if you’re with a brilliant teacher. Sadly, I found that a lot of people are unaware how to really learn, which is why I wrote these specific rules and regulations which if you abide by them, both of us will be successful.
A contract is an agreement between two parties clearly stating what is required.
- I must have the courage to find the real “truth” about myself.
(Most people have no idea who they “truly” are. That’s a big problem.)
- I understand that to achieve my dreams, I must be willing to feel foolish and be uncomfortable.
(You must leave your comfort zones of limiting ideas, if you want something great to happen)
- I know that I will meet people who will not see my gift.
(Know that you will meet people who will not see what’s special about you. First, you have know what’s special about you!)
- I am totally responsible for my career and myself.
(Ask for help. Only you can change anything.)
- I will never complain or blame anyone.
(When you complain or blame anyone, you lose your power.) - I will be open to embrace new information and new possibilities.
(Live in mystery and be open to what you don’t know.)
- I will bring more joy and love to my lessons every day.
(Without love and joy, your dream or goals will stay an idea.)
- I must be optimistic, especially during the tough times.
(Tough times will come. Successful people are optimistic when others are not.)
- I will learn to trust and believe in my talent and my instincts.
(For your talent to grow, you must feed it. Instincts come from your heart – they’re always right.)
- To be successful you have to be willing to be your authentic self.
(You will know when you are authentic, you feel happy and powerful)
I understand that to achieve any of this, I must first… WAKE UP!!!
Questions have great power, creative power and by asking these questions you will force yourself to profound answers. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and repeatedly ask yourself the question out loud or in your head. Then start writing what comes to mind.
With certain answers you might experience sadness or regret, but you will also experience freedom and power.
- When I look into the future are my actions guided by love or fear? Actions of love moves your life forward, actions of fear moves you back into your past.
- How can I add more value and positive energy to others? This will connect you to the right people. This will make you be remembered.
- What has my heart and intuition been telling me that I’ve been ignoring? Instincts are the “miracle” that take you where you want to go. Without miracles in your life, you will not have great success.
- How can I bring more empathy, love and joy to myself and the world? That is your mission in life.
- If I were 90 years old and I was going to give three pieces of advice to my younger self, what would that be? Listen to those answers.
- Do I have someone in my life to say “I love you” to? People that are connected to others live longer.
- Do I love myself as much as I expect others to love me? What actions can I take right now that show that I’m willing to invest in myself.
- Am I asking for enough help? Powerful people always ask for help!