Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Be there
Great value exists in the immediate physical
presence of other people, places, and activities. Although remote,
virtual experiences can be quite rich, they are never the same as being
there.
From thirty thousand feet the world looks one way, and at ground level
it looks significantly different. It’s useful to see the big picture,
and also good to get in close.
High resolution video and clear, crisp audio connections enable you to
quickly and easily reach across the world at negligible cost. As amazing
as that can be, it can never replace the deep resonance of sharing the
same space with another person.
Even when you don’t have to be there, especially when you don’t have to
be there, it can mean a great deal to be there nonetheless. You are an
embodied creature, a social creature through and through, and many
benefits accrue when you act on those truths.
A photograph of the forest is nice, yet a walk through the forest is
superior by orders of magnitude. As thoughtful as a phone call can be, a
personal visit could end up being life changing.
The time and trouble necessary to be there serve as powerful signals to
yourself and others. Look for opportunities to actively express the
truth that life is precious, and be there to live it in person.
— Ralph Marston