Well Weathered

The spiritually debilitated, in an attempt to re-energize or find the answers to their questions, may opt for an extended jaunt into the wilderness leaving the rest of humanity behind. Some, who maintain superfluous amounts of energy, travel in order to expend it. Others may feel the need to disassociate themselves from what they know and immerse themselves in the unknown, in order to continuously learn. Whatever your reasons for disconnecting from the world may be, use it to make meaningful connections with yourself and those around you. This doesn’t necessarily mean keep your cellular telephone charged at all times so you can call everyone you know, from wherever you are, to tell them absolutely nothing. Traveling and exploring helps you to discover who you really are, to learn about yourself and others, to perceive how important and valuable life is, to ascribe meaning to the passage of time, and to appreciate relationships. Savor your experiences and don’t be afraid to share. If you disconnect for a while, don’t pass on the opportunity to reconnect in more positive ways. Send a relative or friend a letter from afar. Punch out a quick email from the youth hostel to let someone know you’re thinking about them. A few photos and postcards can brighten someone’s day. Better yet, make the journey across the state, territory, ocean or mountain and show up on their doorstep with a bottle of wine. Time is fleeting and decades will pass before you realize it so don’t waste these moments. The age of computers, cellular telephones and cable television may be transforming us into isolated, socially inept drones, but there’s no stopping them. Let’s use them, and our time here on Earth, to rehumanize rather than dehumanize.