Recently, I picked up this book, Mattering by Jennifer Breheny Wallace, & I meant to read it later, but I decided to start reading it this weekend because the weather is just horrible here in Warsaw, like -15C.
Three years ago, I wrote about the power of human connection and how meaningful relationships enrich our lives. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find it here:
With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about what actually makes people feel loved and valued & the ideas in this book are really resonating with me. The idea that a fulfilled life, and fulfilling relationships, are built on feeling like we genuinely matter to one another. That feeling doesn’t come from big gestures, but from everyday moments of presence, attention, and care.
It also made me think about on how easily constant screen use can dilute those moments, even when we’re physically together.
That’s why we made Mudita Kompakt the center of our Valentine’s Day campaign.
If anyone else has read the book, or is thinking about how to be more present with the people they love, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
These words in your post from three years ago caught my eyes:
By prioritizing human connection in our lives, we can experience greater happiness, health, and success.
So, next time you find yourself reaching for your phone, take a moment to connect with the people around you - it just may be the most important thing you do all day.
Unfortunately, “reaching for your phone” has come to mean reaching for one’s phone WITHOUT the intention to CALL someone but instead to distract oneself with everything else that a smartphone can do today.
“Reaching for your phone” CAN mean connecting deeply with people who are NOT around you, too, but only if you CALL them.
The challenge with reaching for even a minimalist cellphone to call someone who is not with you is the huge temptation to TEXT-MESSAGE that person instead of calling him or her.
We use excuses such as…
“I don’t want to disturb him.”
“She is not supposed to answer calls to her cellphone at work.”
“Texting is faster.”
“I like how texting lets me use funny emojis.”
“I don’t have time to chat.”
There are answers to these excuses, such as…
Watch how delighted people are when they receive a call out of the blue.
Cellphone owners certainly know how to let calls roll over to voicemail.
Texting is faster, but calling is deeper.
Laughter is deeper than funny emojis.
You can start your call by saying that you simply wanted to say hello and to wish the person well.
There are a few minimalist cellphones that do not allow texting, but this is impractical for most of us, given how helpful MMS-based group messaging and SMS-based two-factor authentication can be.
So, here’s my question:
What do YOU say to yourself to motivate you to CALL someone instead of texting him or her when you pick up your Kompakt or other minimalist cellphone?
@kirkmahoneyphd My friends & I just call, no excuse needed. Maybe because I’m oldser I don’t have a fear of the phone call
For example, yesterday, Sunday morning, it was super cold in Warsaw. -15/-20 C (that’s like -4F)
I didn’t want to do anything but stay home after I walked Misiek. My friend called & asked what am I doing. I replied, “nothing. trying to stay warm.” To that she said, “I’m coming over for coffee.”
I don’t have a fear of the phone call