On a recent trip to Florida we were spending time with family. Pizza was on our mind seeing as currently we have been following, Barstool Pizza Review, regarding pizza shops and potential pie perfection around the country. So, we decided to seek out the top rated pizza in the area to do our own family review. Looking to see if we could put a 7 or higher on the chart. It was a quaint and humble little shop. The owner bragged up his pizza, said we were in for a real treat. The decor and surrounding walls were brick with license plates hung from each of the 50 states along with a few surf items to bring in the Florida beach. All in all, it had a New York style small pizzeria vibe. Two big pizza ovens along with a very visible workspace for all to see the creation of each hand crafted pizza. We mulled over the menu, finally came to our decision and ordered. Pizza and Greek salads it would be.
Plugged in
As we were waiting for our food a candid discussion of the day ramped up between us all, talking about past, present and future events of life when a man, maybe in his later 60’s, walked in with what appeared to be his son. They took a seat at the table directly behind us, a straight on view for me. The father seemed happy to be there going out to eat with his son. In the turn of a few minutes I saw the son, probably between 17 and 19 years of age, pull out his large noise canceling headphones and plug them directly into his phone.
Human connection
Watching for a bit I grew increasingly sad, then a little upset at the son. Seeing his father’s expression turn to what appeared loneliness and a wandering mind taking in only the immediate surroundings as the engagement of interaction or conversation was currently void. In that moment I could sense and feel a sadness that he may have been feeling. It was as though he was pretending to be ok with the situation. I wanted to walk up and talk to the son and ask the question if he knew how many years he may have left to share with his dad and did he feel that his time spent on whatever it was that he was engaged in was more important than the now and the human relationship that he would someday miss? Don’t worry I only thought it, I didn’t act on it.
Now, I could be wrong about the situation, I am an empath by nature, tuned into emotion around me, and this is what I was sensing. So, really no judgement it was an emotional reaction that I was feeling. However, I was glad for the sense of urgency that it put on my own heart in not taking for granted the living relationships we have and who we are in touch with on a daily basis. Forcing me to think about those that I should probably reach out to since my connection has been far too long. Do you have someone in your life that you’ve been meaning to reach out to?
Throwback
Interestingly, I stumbled across a throwback song that I never heard from 1999, I appreciated all the rambling advice. The words rang true. I’ll link it at the bottom of my post so you can give it a listen. One of the statements is “get to know your parents, you’ll never know when they will be gone for good, be nice to your siblings they’re your best link to your past and the most likely to stick with you in the future”.
“Are we so engaged in social media and the bounce and flounce of the latest technology that we are potentially missing out on the greatest assets of life?”
Call me nostalgic, circumstances as such press hard on my mind at the speed of time. It races to try and capture remaining time and do my best to make it stand still. My group of friends and I talk about our parents and our concerns the older that we all get. Maybe it’s been a recent loss of a friend that jerks us into reality of how short and precious time is. Time is a commodity that we don’t get back. So, what are we plugged into? What are we missing out on? Are we so engaged in social media and the bounce and flounce of the latest technology that we are potentially missing out on the greatest assets of life? Relationships and human interaction.
I challenge you
Let me know if you want to accept a challenge! The challenge is to put your phone away and I mean away, not out on the table where it is a visible reminder to you and the other person that says, “I’m engaged and interested in what we are doing, until something better comes along”, when you are out with a friend, your family or visiting outside with neighbors.
Putting my own words into action
I put this to my own test this past Sunday after church, I made an intentional decision to leave my phone in the car when we went out to eat. I myself was surprised by how much I was observant to movement and others around me. Reminding me of the days I was a waitress and the stack of dishes moving in and out of the kitchen. The pile of food set out to refill the Sunday brunch buffet and the interaction of others. I saw older folks enjoying each other’s company while others were plugged in. Let’s not cancel out life. This post is not to insult anyone and I hope that it has brought a nudge to the importance of disconnecting from technology for even a short time and connecting into the life and happenings around us. I would love to hear comments from anyone that gives an effort to put their technology down for a time and engage in a very present moment sort of way with the relationships of those around them or to be in tune with the circumstances and activities around them.
As promised here is the link to the amazing ramblings of advice to the class of 1999. The Sunscreen Song (class of ‘99). Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen – Baz Luhrmann
On a side note I would like to give a shout out to Dave Portnoy who does all Barstool Pizza Reviews. Your honesty in pizza and sense of humor keep me intrigued. At the end of the day we gave our pizza a 6.5.
Leave a Reply