If there is one thing we need more of today, it is face-to-face connections.
Enough of the frantic smart phone texting, relying on your screen to grow your relationships and hanging on to dear life for communication from that little (or big) device!
Instead, let’s get real!
Granted that technology often substitutes and compensates when we are far away from our loved ones..but,
Real togetherness is not a wi-fi connection.
Real togetherness is not just 4G speed
Real togetherness is not a video on a screen that just gives off static and leaves you just a little frustrated!
Real Togetherness is…
- Holding hands and feeling the warmth of touch
- Sitting at the table, laughing and eating together
- Sitting in a cafe, making eye-contact and sipping coffee (oh come on – you order what you want!)
- Hugging and feeling your heart go full
- Cuddling up together
- Getting emotional, crying and having someone wipe your tears and making you smile.
- Playing with children and laughing your guts out for no reason until you ache with happiness.
- Visiting friends and family and delighting in their expression when you hand over that gift
- Sending out real handmade greeting cards
- Going for walks together, enjoying nature.
- Organizing a picnic with family and friends, packing food and enjoying the outdoors
- A trip to the zoo, with your favorite kids, not necessarily your own.
- Visiting a bird sanctuary and trying to spot the species, appreciating the beauty of life
- Walking around your area, talking to people, connecting.
- Planting trees together, doing our bit to keep the ecosystem healthy.
- Working together to keep our surroundings clean.
The list goes on…and on.
What am I doing to practice togetherness?
What better time to ask that question than during the festival season!
In our apartment complex with roughly 96 families, we’re celebrating the nine-day Navratri which means, doll displays, games, group prayers, satsang in the evenings, rounded up by the distribution of “prasadam” – or goodies offered in prayer and enjoyed by us.
In the basement of our apartment complex, we have a huge doll display with dolls contributed by the residents. Each morning and evening, groups of residents come together to sing hymns. This is followed by “aarti” and offering goodies to the deities. Children then take the stage to perform and hone their talents.
The goodies are prepared by a group of residents for each of the nine days.
Tomorrow, the last day of Navratri, our celebrations will be extra-special with cultural programs and wrapped up with dinner together.
Organizing all this is the best example of togetherness I can think of – raising funds, arranging and scheduling the program for the day, getting everyone together and making sure it is a grand success…which it is!
As the collective festivities and celebrations are in progress, residents also visit each other’s homes to enjoy their own doll displays, chat and present each other with gifts.
And of course, next on the “togetherness” agenda is exploring places to go for our annual picnic, usually in December or January – when we arrange a couple of buses and take off for the day!
How are you celebrating togetherness?
Because, we want real emotions, feelings, thoughts and love. Not mirages and fantasies.
Watch this fabulous video from Kissan India about the real joy of togetherness
15 comments
You know, I saw this video two days ago and was so touched by the concept and the sincerity of it that the fact that it was a brand campaign didn’t even register until the last frame 🙂 Plus I have been feeling exactly that way for some time now and it seemed timely. The best part is I wrote today’s post- 5 things I miss from my childhood- and realised how much more of togetherness I felt as a result. Still toying with whether I should modify and link it up with the campaign or leave it as is 🙂
As you know, I am with you on everything listed here. Togetherness is more smart living and less smart devices.
Shailaja recently posted…5 Things I miss from my Childhood
Thank you Shailaja (always something special when you are the first to comment, you “smart” girl!)
I am inclined to think that the more offline we enjoy, the better life is! I have proof 🙂
I say tweak your post and please go for the campaign!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Pampered And Loving It
You are absolutely right, that the technology has made our lives easier but the real joy of life is vanishing. It says that out of sight is out of heart.we can speak to each other from distances by phones and send messages to each other but is not joyful as you sir together and see faces of each other.
Navratri sounds fabulous! I was blessed to go on a trip last month to meet writing friends from around the United States. What a joy. And while they are not homemade, I mailed out Halloween cards just today. The ones that come to me are always a day brightener.
Darla M Sands recently posted…Flipping Over Flippers
You hit the nail on the head! Too many people will sit together but not interact because they are on their phone or tablet and have forgotten to engage with an actual person. I am compiling cards as we speak and am sending a couple of birthday cards out. I think we are forgetting the simple joys of actually being together
Everyone’s in such a rush that it is natural to turn to something more convenient and instant, than having to make the effort to actually commute, plan and spend the time together, I guess. Sometimes it works…but most times it is so much more fun to make the effort. 🙂 Me, I am for sitting around the table..or maybe lounging on the couch and laughing together kinda person. 🙂 Lucky those who receive your cards – they’re so pretty!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiles to go before I sleep #WorldSmileDay
Oh and when I send this off I notice some error come up. Are you getting my replies?? Just wondering??
Birgit recently posted…The last 15 of my Favourite films
Odd. Thanks Birgit! I always love it when you catch up! Love to you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiles to go before I sleep #WorldSmileDay
Such a beautiful post, Vids. I completely agree with you, nothing matches the actual time spent together.
Rachna recently posted…Walking along
I know, Rachna! Getting together beats every other way! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Smiles to go before I sleep #WorldSmileDay
Oh this post reminded me of the Durga Puja celebrations at my parents’ every year…How much I miss that and yes all of that you mentioned about the celebrations make up for real togetherness ..somehow we miss out on so much…Time to get together with our loved ones in reality and not only hang on to devices for the same…
Nabanita recently posted…Do We Change With Time?
It is true, Naba. The more we get tied to our devices….at some point it gets mechanical and too easy. Nothing like face-to-face fun! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Daycare – A Boon For Working Moms
We should all be aware that togetherness is important in everybody’s life, it enhances closeness and unity among family. Thanks for sharing a great post.
sherill recently posted…The #1 Thing They Didn’t Tell You About The Law of Attraction
Very well said vidya, technology must not disconnect us from one another, there is joy in holding hands, hugging, embracing and yes relaxing with family, and partying with friends…. loved your post, am glad that I was out for a holiday to pondicherry and loved this place, came back and connected with my friends over lunch and it was such a warm feeling to be connected… togetherness is truly getting real:)
That sounds wonderful, Angela! 🙂 I am glad you had the break and get together!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Is it possible to live a completely fulfilling life? #themindilluminated