Hey all. Sorry I have not posted in a bit. Been extremely busy with churchy stuff...but then again, that's what a guru does. So, onto my thoughts. I was watching the Today show this morning, and they interviewed this guy who posted a video on YouTube. Maybe you have heard about him. He basically posted a video, asking anyone who needs to talk to someone, to give him a call...he then posted his cell number. He estimates that his cell bill for next month may reach 50 thousand dollars, and his plan for his cell is only 600 minutes...OUCH! Now, as Meredith was interviewing this guy, his phone was ringing non-stop. He answered a few calls, but had to eventually put his phone on silent. It got me thinking about the loneliness of people, and the disconnection people honestly feel.
We all go through our bouts of loneliness, but are we that desperate as to use such outlets like YouTube, MySpace, or any other social online gathering space to be honest, so much so that we do it within the context of anonymity? I know people who are addicts to these spaces and cannot go a day without communicating their messages and chat with people they don't know. Yes, this is perhaps one of those spots where I can post ideas and messages that I am feeling, and I do it mostly anonymously, although there are obviously people who know who I really am And in the blogging community, we accept that...for the most part, we are unknowns who happen to journal and write publicly about our lives. But, I got to thinking about the power of putting yourself out there for someone to notice you. That's what blogs do essentially. They put you out there as one who has an opinion, story, anecdote, or piece of wisdom that may or may not ramble and inspire. And you hope that maybe your blog with somehow connect with someone.
Is this YouTube phone guy caring about the disconnection humanity seems to suffering from? Or is this just a way for a very lonely person to somehow receive some attention? Why do we feel so disconnected from one another that few of us are willing to be the anonymous receivers of pain and thoughts? In my line of work, I do do this. I listen to people's issues, and listen some more. That's what I have learned about being a good pastor...to listen, listen, listen. I have met blowholes who talk too much, and frankly like to hear themselves speak...they like the attention in the room to be focused on them. That's uncomfortable to be around...trust me! But, I genuinely appreciate listening to people because I know that people associate me with who I am "working for." That's a part of the gig. I don't always know what to say, or how to react, but I listen. I listen not because that's the best way to earn people's trust, respect, and love. If I talk too much, I will drown out the soft voices of need around me who are too tired to speak up. That's why I am always trying to fine tune my radar. I notice the facial expressions, body language, or tone of conversation of the people around me. I notice the little things about people that people give off unknowingly. That's what makes I think, a good listener...noticing the little things.
I guess I applaud this guy. This guy is risking himself to listen to people. I think that's what we all want. We all want someone to listen to us. To help us make sense of the chaos and blurs of our lives. We all want someone to acknowledge that we exist and that we are alright. We need someone to validate our struggles, to question our choices, to keep us grounded, and to give us hope. We need people around us who are willing to sit and listen...no agendas, no motives, and no limits. We need people to hear us; not to hear us pontificate about who we are, but about the broken pieces of our lives that we are unsure how to put back together. I believe that's why Jesus was followed greatly....because he listened to people...he listened to their inner battles, and their outer joys. I also believe that's what helped get him killed too. Let me challenge you: How can you put your radar up today, to notice who around you might need a listening ear?
We all go through our bouts of loneliness, but are we that desperate as to use such outlets like YouTube, MySpace, or any other social online gathering space to be honest, so much so that we do it within the context of anonymity? I know people who are addicts to these spaces and cannot go a day without communicating their messages and chat with people they don't know. Yes, this is perhaps one of those spots where I can post ideas and messages that I am feeling, and I do it mostly anonymously, although there are obviously people who know who I really am And in the blogging community, we accept that...for the most part, we are unknowns who happen to journal and write publicly about our lives. But, I got to thinking about the power of putting yourself out there for someone to notice you. That's what blogs do essentially. They put you out there as one who has an opinion, story, anecdote, or piece of wisdom that may or may not ramble and inspire. And you hope that maybe your blog with somehow connect with someone.
Is this YouTube phone guy caring about the disconnection humanity seems to suffering from? Or is this just a way for a very lonely person to somehow receive some attention? Why do we feel so disconnected from one another that few of us are willing to be the anonymous receivers of pain and thoughts? In my line of work, I do do this. I listen to people's issues, and listen some more. That's what I have learned about being a good pastor...to listen, listen, listen. I have met blowholes who talk too much, and frankly like to hear themselves speak...they like the attention in the room to be focused on them. That's uncomfortable to be around...trust me! But, I genuinely appreciate listening to people because I know that people associate me with who I am "working for." That's a part of the gig. I don't always know what to say, or how to react, but I listen. I listen not because that's the best way to earn people's trust, respect, and love. If I talk too much, I will drown out the soft voices of need around me who are too tired to speak up. That's why I am always trying to fine tune my radar. I notice the facial expressions, body language, or tone of conversation of the people around me. I notice the little things about people that people give off unknowingly. That's what makes I think, a good listener...noticing the little things.
I guess I applaud this guy. This guy is risking himself to listen to people. I think that's what we all want. We all want someone to listen to us. To help us make sense of the chaos and blurs of our lives. We all want someone to acknowledge that we exist and that we are alright. We need someone to validate our struggles, to question our choices, to keep us grounded, and to give us hope. We need people around us who are willing to sit and listen...no agendas, no motives, and no limits. We need people to hear us; not to hear us pontificate about who we are, but about the broken pieces of our lives that we are unsure how to put back together. I believe that's why Jesus was followed greatly....because he listened to people...he listened to their inner battles, and their outer joys. I also believe that's what helped get him killed too. Let me challenge you: How can you put your radar up today, to notice who around you might need a listening ear?
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