I have met many people and I have seen many changes take place over the years. Parts of our world today are totally unrecognizable to me. I have watched changes take place everywhere, all the way down to changes within myself. I have noticed changes in people, as a whole, and I am going to try to see this in a positive light.
Technology has been and always will be the driving force of change even in how or what we think. It has changed dramatically how we interact with others. So, it can make one wonder if technology has caused these changes in the way we interact or simply exposed them. Either way, it's sad, yet exhilarating.to see and watch. So, I watch, and I try to learn. I think it's safe to say that we all learn that way.
Social media has come a long way in such a short time period. Yes, I use it so I'm not throwing stones. Curiosity has always been my motivation for as far back as I can remember so I have learned to have an open mind. I learn to understand and not to judge. As similar as we all are, we have so many differences that make each of us unique. Social media has had a profound effect on anyone that uses it, especially on a daily basis, because of the availability of information. It's a total smorgasbord!
My point is, with all of this information, have I learned anything? I have. I don't interact with others like I used to. Back in the day making friends was quick because either one of them or I could not be there the next day. It was a military life and that's how it was. Now, I like to take my time. It's easier. You will need patience because getting to know folks properly does take time. But it will be most rewarding in the long run.
The "IDGAF" mentality has taken root and is growing at an alarming rate. But you might as well throw that shit out the window because if the real truth were known, we would realize that we do give a shit more than we let on. None the less, as a society, we have less empathy. We have less patience. We certainly have less real interaction. We have become more self-absorbed. There are more assumptions (judgements) being made of others even when we don't know them that well. People have a chip on their shoulder that they cannot see but can see the chips on other shoulders. How many folks actually know who their neighbors are? People want instant gratification but can't find the time to wait for what is really important.
In a time of fast this, instant that, or "get it now!", it does no harm to just slow down for a spell. I'm not so naive to think everyone likes or wants to know a lot of people. As I said earlier, everyone is different and there is everything right with that. There is nothing wrong with good judgement either. We are all free to pick and choose who we wish to get to know. The challenge is taking the time and to not make any assumptions about anyone. You most definitely can't judge a book by its cover. We need to remember that if we have our own struggles that we don't discuss, others will have theirs as well. Many things should remain unsaid because we really don't know what's really going on with others.
Slow down and take the time to get to know whomever you wish. They will let you know what they want you to know in their own time. Until you know anything, you don't.
