Take Care

"Take Care!"  It's a parting comment I hear often and use myself.  I never really thought about what it means, as it seems that most of the time greetings are not really meant to carry any weight or actually mean what they say.  I'm sure you know what I mean.  I can't count how many times someone has asked me "How are you doing?" and not even taken a second to hear my answer.  Most of us are probably programmed by now to simply say "I'm fine." without even thinking of it.  As a matter of fact, after asking the question, I'm often shocked when someone actually tells me how they really are, and then I find myself embarrassed and disappointed in myself for being so shocked.  

I'm sure there was a time in our world when that question, "How are you doing?" was asked not as simply a greeting, but because we were genuinely concerned how our neighbors were. Things seem to move so fast today that we are hard-wired to move through our days without taking the time for the relationships we need in life.  

I'm an admitted technophile.  I love the internet.  I use a blackberry.  I want an iPhone.  I read blogs.  I know what a "Wiki" is.  In his web article "Technology isolates and brings us together" Jamie LaRue talks of a society with Attention Deficit Disorder.  The article describes the coffeehouse, an American Classic - a place where people gather for a good cup of Joe and social interaction.  A place where politics, sports and local gossip can be shared.  Then he looks around and points out the kid on his laptop, listening to his iPod and waiting for a text on his cell phone.  He even goes as far as to say that the technology of automobiles isolates us from the once social act of riding a bus or train.

As little as 20 years ago, a poll in the U.S. showed that people had what they considered 10 "close" friends in their lives that they could share their dreams, hopes and intimate secrets with.  In the past 3 years, the same survey was taken and that number was down to 3.  Three.  Almost every day, a new product is introduced that will bring us closer, help us communicate faster and give us opportunity to be as close as the push of a button.  Yet we're still isolated.

So as I thought of this, and sat here typing on this computer, I thought of the stories I used to hear of kids playing in neighborhood streets until sundown and neighbors sitting on front porches and visiting each other, sharing stories, laughing together and leaning on each other in hard times.  When was the last time you stopped to visit your neighbor or invited them over for dinner?  

I know it's been a while since I took the time to visit with the important people in my life.  I want to know how they are doing, know what's happening in their lives and how I can be a part of it.  And I want to find out face-to-face, not via email or text message. 

So let's commit to it.  Let's commit to caring for each other, in real life, one-on-one, in the moment.  Let's remember that the energy gives us all life is shared among all of us and that we can recharge, energize and inspire each other through our relationships together.

Matthew 18:18 says "I mean this.  When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action.  And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."  If that isn't enough motivation to find time and be with the ones you love, then I don't know what is.

I'll see you at the Y.  Now I need to check this email before bed....