“You're better off to have a friend than to be all alone."
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9
Some people revel in the sensory
calm that isolation brings, and the creativity it can inspire. For Connor, being alone was a nightmare worse
than death. With nothing to do and no
one to talk to, his deepest fears clawed at the base of his throat, hastening
the gentle thud of a lonely heart.
He checked his phone (again). No messages. They were online though, he could see that.
Barely 19, Connor lived on the 7th floor of the
oldest dorm on campus. He stared out across the University’s broad expanse.
The day was cold and forbidding.
Outside he could only see where the gloomy sky blended into a bleak horizon.
If one color summed up dorm life, grey
would be his choice; an anthem for his life eating odorless food to the boredom
of pointless chatter.
He checked Facebook.
Emily’s boyfriend bought her a bunch of roses. He clicked ‘like’ on both. Connor hadn’t had a girlfriend since sophomore
year. Keith had gone to the Chiefs game;
Matt changed his profile picture to one of himself mountain biking. Scrolling down there were Allison’s vacation
photos. He clicked ‘like’ again but by
now the posts of friends smiling and laughing made him feel inferior.
He should be having the time of his life; out mingling and
partying and meeting new people daily . . . right?
But it was Sunday afternoon and Connor had been in a foul
mood all day, feeling sorry for himself; wallowing in the stench of self-pity. He'd never felt more alone in his life. If his family were just physically far away
he could’ve overcome it with technology. But since the argument, they were emotionally
distant, angry, and unwilling to consider his point of view.
“Why can't my friends call me to hang out?” he wondered.
Connor updated his Facebook status to: “I’m lonely.”
A good friend from back home immediately replied. “You know, there’s a place unlike Facebook
called “OUTSIDE” where people “FRIEND” each other by making eye contact and talking. Go check
it out.” J
Social media has crept into the homes of nearly 2 billion
people worldwide. Lost relationships
have reignited, friendships have bonded.
But personal social interaction has clearly declined. Think about it for a moment. Do you remember the last time you actually stopped
by a friend’s house just to catch up?
Social media has allowed all of us to interact solely
through chat rooms, text messages, Facebook posts and other electronic tools. But we need to be reminded again and again
that technology has a power-off
button. And the wisest know when to use
it.
Life is still about F2F interaction, hugs and eye contact.
Holy Father, You never intended for us to walk
alone. You place people into our lives
to stand with us, be there for us in our time of need, and give us the
opportunity to serve You by being there for them as well. Thank You. Amen
