Death of a Phone Call

Whatever happened to the old fashioned phone call these days? With the influx of technologies like Blackberry's, IPhone's, Face Book and other technological wonders of the world, we seem to have forgotten how much meaning a simple phone call brings into a loved one's life. We are all so busy these days that sending out a quick email or "shooting" someone a text message just seems more convenient or less time consuming. But have you ever stopped to think how the person on the receiving end feels? How about that Mom or Grandmother who doesn't use text messages or check their emails on a by-the-second basis? What does that mean to them? The answer is absolutely nothing. It is simply impersonal and in my opinion, not right. Even in the professional setting. How many clients do you think you have turned off by sending an email when a phone call was in order? Saying "I'm sorry" through a text message surely just doesn't cut it. Or how many fights have you gotten into because a text, email, or Face Book chat was misinterpreted? "Was their CAPSLOCK on or did he/she just yell at me?" Surely everyone is guilty of this bad habit, but the good news is it is not too late. Pick up the phone. Yes. Right now. Call someone you care about. Call a friend, a family member…maybe even a client. For what, you ask? Who cares? Just say hello to them, maybe ask how they are doing. I mean is it that hard? Have we completely been drowned in the ease of our technological escape routes? You would be surprised at how shocked and appreciative they were, is my bet. I think we all have forgotten what it really means to take a few extra seconds out of our day to do such a simple thing that up until recently was the only thing we did to communicate. Maybe I am the only one who feels this way, but I highly doubt it. If this little letter means anything to you, pass it on to as many people as you like, and who knows, maybe even call them up to have a discussion about it.

~Ryan J. Lamothe