It’s funny the expressions we sometimes use. Books have been written to explain the meaning and origin of some of the more obscure sayings; and I actually have one. I like to read it every one in a while.
Some sayings though are very simple and direct. Sometimes, it’s all about the context in which it’s being used. It’s an important part of the way we communicate. A bit of reflection on the last several weeks has caused some personal rumination.
In all of nature, communication is a big part of our relationships. Without good communication, relationships fall apart. From the least social creature to most highly developed social creature, communication is necessary for life.
Within our busy lives we tend to believe that we communicate a lot. It seems that nearly everyone has a cell phone or at least access to one pretty much 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For those with smart phones and tablets, life has come to revolve around ourselves. Instant gratification has almost become a new drug for society due to the fact that we have become dependent on texting, instant messaging, social media, and the internet in general literally right at our fingertips.
For the generations that have grown up with this technology, life tends to move very quickly. For the generations of people that had to learn it as an adult, speed of life varies greatly from person to person.
Before life got so fast paced, people were more likely to do things together. They were more likely to physically be together and communicate face to face. If someone was ahead of us that we wanted to talk to, we might say, ‘Hold up’; then we could catch up with them.
Maybe it’s just me, but in today’s society it seems harder to get someone to ‘hold up’. We all seem to be going in different directions. Even when it appears that we are headed in the same general direction, we seem too busy or distracted to have a meaningful conversation, much less spend time together.
It’s so evident on today’s roadways when you realize that most every car on the road has only the driver in it. All those drivers are going somewhere, and many are going to the same place yet they are travelling alone.
Sometimes, in our busy lives the people that we pass by and leave behind are actually struggling. Some are struggling to keep up, while others are struggling to keep going. It’s expected and easy to see with children, but adults are often overlooked.
For them, they may just be trying to ‘hold on’. Whatever the circumstances are for each person, it is very likely that they do not like being left behind. We are social creatures created to function together so that we can achieve things for greater than what can be achieved on our own.
No matter the size of the community you are in, the community is no greater than the least of the members. When someone gets left behind, they are no longer part of the community; instead they become outcasts.
To strengthen our community, we are required to ‘slow down’ so that we can connect and communicate with those who are trying to hold on. This is especially true on the smallest scale of community, such as family.
Family does not have to be flesh and blood relatives, but include all those within your circle of influence. Everyone may not always get along or see things eye to eye, but they are still part of the same community.
For myself, nothing makes my heart sing more than being part of a group that is working toward something great. Feeling that I contribute to something important gives me much more satisfaction than trying to do everything myself.
When it comes to my home life, the goal is to ensure that everyone has a good quality of life. If each individual has what they need physically, mentally, and emotionally, then the entire family benefits. This also includes my animals.
It’s easy to get so busy that I overlook the needs of others. Recently, I have been reminded that we all need the support of others. I recognize that nothing lasts forever, and that is a very powerful motivator.
Everything is temporary; taking the time to invest in others who are aged, ill, or overwhelmed can, at times, seem unproductive towards my own goals but it ultimately adds to my overall wellbeing because the community goal is being met. At the end of the day, it feels good to know that I made a difference in someone’s life.
Isaiah 22:24 They will give him great responsibility, and he will bring honor to even the lowliest members of his family.
