The other day I was at the park training some of my players when and old friend stopped by. I haven’t physically seen him in years but thanks to Facebook we’ve been in touch from time to time.
What happened afterwards might surprise some of you. We had an intelligent conversation. If you need to re-read that last sentence take the time to do so. There was no talk about what happened on desperate housewives, or who got traded where; we talked about the world and what’s happening in it.
Be honest with me right now, and answer these three questions. When was the last time you left a conversation feeling uplifted? When was the last time you left a conversation with more knowledge than you had before it started? When was the last time someone you talked to really made you think? I can tell you that I’ve had all three of those questions answered in that one conversation. The funny thing is two hours later I talked with a mentor of mine and the same thing happened. He made me think about where I was and where I wanted to go. We talked about changing the world for the better, and about living a balanced life.
With so much going on in the rat race we’re all running we’ve lost the ability to communicate with one another. The problem with this is that when we do have the time to communicate its dumbed down. We only talk about issues that fit into our “hectic” schedules. The weather, work, Snookies new hairdo, and anything else that takes less than a minute to discuss.
We don’t challenge each other to think anymore. We rely on our texting to do our talking. Back in the days you had to actually call someone to make plans. These days you can abbreviate a couple of words, and send four emoygis and you’re good to go.
I want to start a new movement. Lets start talking to one another more. Discuss not just what’s going on in your life, but also the world around you. This week have a meaningful conversation with someone, you have no idea how much you’ll learn!
Love, love love this, Cornell! I can’t do small talk. I rarely watch television and can’t keep up with that kind of “did you see (insert name of tv series) last night?” conversation – not that I would want to. I’m very fortunate, my family and I like proper discussions on a range of subjects. Recently, I’ve been talking with a very intelligent man. Soul mates, we love each other deeply, had a terrible split-up and haven’t talked since January ’13 – (and that wasn’t talking but arguing haha) But throughout these recent conversations it occurred to me how effortlessly we have always slipped in and out of each others’ minds, discussing and exploring an ever increasing range of subjects, giving each other all manner of insights – and how I just can’t raise the interest for anything less. Do you ever notice how many people construct conversation out of a string of jargon and/or cliches? “Hey” “How you doing?” “Just chillin’, man, how about you?” “”Me? I’m Just checking things out, man” Yeah?|Awesome” “yeah” “Well, I got to get going, time stops for no man” “Absolutely” “It’s been great talking to you” “Catch you later!” You get the gist – it seems so pointless – such a waste. One thing I do know – I’m going to get intelligent, interesting conversation whether I’m talking directly to you – or reading your words, and I am very thankful for that!