Lift Your Eyes: The Elevator Truths We Ignore
Ever find yourself in an elevator with strangers, all staring intently at your phone like it’s the latest episode of your favorite show? Well, I’ve been there too, and it got me thinking about something pretty profound: our phones may be keeping us entertained, but they're also robbing us of those little moments of connection that happen when we just look around. You know, those awkward pauses where you could compliment someone on their snazzy shoes or share a chuckle over an elevator mishap? We dive into why it’s easier to hide behind our screens than to embrace those quiet seconds with other humans. Spoiler alert: sometimes, those pauses are the best part! So, when was the last time you looked up instead of down? Let's chat about it!
Picture this: a cramped elevator filled with four people, all staring intently at their phones as if they’re the most riveting pages of a best-selling novel. We dive into the quirks of modern life where silence has become an awkward enemy and our smartphones are the shields we wield to avoid eye contact. In this lively discussion, we explore how our reliance on technology has transformed everyday moments into a series of missed connections. What happens in those quiet seconds when we choose the glow of our screens over the warmth of human interaction? Our host, James A. Brown, raises some thought-provoking questions about the humor, tension, and accidental friendships that slip through the cracks when we fail to look up. Can we reclaim those moments, or are we forever destined to navigate the world with our heads down? Join us as we dissect the art of being present, even in the most mundane of situations, and challenge ourselves to embrace the pauses that life throws our way.
Takeaways:
- We often use our phones in awkward situations instead of engaging with those around us.
- Avoiding eye contact has become a ritual; we pull out our phones like it's second nature.
- Every moment spent on our phones is time we could have connected with others beside us.
- What are we missing by looking down at our screens instead of up at life?
- The pause in conversations can lead to unexpected connections and shared moments with strangers.
- Next time you find yourself in an elevator, try looking up instead of down!
Links referenced in this episode:
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Transcript
Eyes down, minds elsewhere.
Speaker A:This is commentary from James A.
Speaker A:Brown.
Speaker A:I got in an elevator with three other people and we all did the same thing.
Speaker A:We pulled out our phones like we had been trained for this moment.
Speaker A:And in a way, we have been.
Speaker A:Four humans in a small box, avoiding eye contact with the dedication of a meditation practice, it's become ritual.
Speaker A:The phone comes out not because we need it to, but because it gives us something to hold, I guess.
Speaker A:Something to stare at and no doubt, something to hide behind.
Speaker A:It's easier than sitting in silence with strangers, easier than the awkward half smile, Easier than the head nod.
Speaker A:Easier than just being there.
Speaker A:But I can't help but wonder, what are we skipping in those quiet seconds?
Speaker A:The humor?
Speaker A:The tension?
Speaker A:The accidental connections?
Speaker A:The small chance to notice someone else's shoes or compliment their hat or share a half second when the doors don't close?
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:Phones make the pause go away.
Speaker A:And sadly, the pause at times is the point.
Speaker A:So when was the last time you chose to look up instead of down?
Speaker A:Let me know in the comments and check out more@jamesabrown.net on that note, I'm James A.
Speaker A:Brown and as always, be well.
