Quote of the Week

This month’s quotes are all from one source – Keanu Reeves. I love Reeves the man and Reeves the actor. He is one of the more grounded of the Hollywood crowd and his generosity is legend.

“Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It’s like we’re zombies. Look up and take your headphones out. Say “Hi” to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they’re hurting.”  Keanu Reeves

I know Keanu was referring to more than the way people always have their faces stuck in a phone, but it worries me how people are getting cut off from the world around them. Smart phones are marvelous things, but they are not meant to take up 90% of our attention. They can only feed two of our five senses. Sight and sound are great, but what about taste and touch? Smell? The world is a rich tapestry offering us an unparalleled experience.

The suicide rate in the young is up (I mentioned this before in a previous blog) and I blame the lack of connection that being online engenders. People need people (ask Barbara Streisand) – to ease loneliness, to provide a shoulder to cry on, to share in life’s triumphs big and little, to share a moment like a sunrise or the beauty of a field of wildflowers.

Give someone the gift of connection today. Smile. Compliment a stranger’s scarf or sweater or their hair. Let them know that someone noticed them and the effort they made. Give a hug. Contact friends and family if you can’t see them in person and let them know you’re thinking of them.