Tuning Out

It seems every time I go out, whether shopping or whatever, someone around me is talking on a cell phone. If I look at people passing while driving, nearly everyone is on one. I wonder how we ever survived without our beloved phones. Our kids demand them, our youth live on them. While I do have a cell phone and it is convenient to call my wife from the store, I could easily throw it away.

I know using a phone is more personal than e-mail, especially since you can’t always tell one’s attitude or emotional state in the printed word, but I wish people wouldn’t use them constantly. I turn around every time I hear someone in the grocery store say hello. Of course, they are usually talking on the phone and not to me. However, I still look because I never want to miss the opportunity to experience the quickly-disappearing, personal hello.

Is it possible that we are trying to keep our world more confined by being on our cell phone? It’s very easy to walk around on a phone or with an iPod and use that as an excuse for not interacting with people around us. As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of it. It is extremely difficult to reach out to others when we are self-absorbed within our own lives.

What is the answer? I’m not certain that I have one. I know that I will have to keep my cell phone. I know that they are good for making contact and directly communicating with others. But, I would much rather talk to someone in person. It is healthy to be with and encourage each other face-to-face. Am I longing for something that may never return? Perhaps, but for now I think I’ll close my phone and say hello.