Category Archives: Nonfiction Article

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Modern Enslavement to Rudeness

Chargepod is a 6-way charging device that allo...

Chargepod is a 6-way charging device that allows you to charge multiple cell phones, PDAs, headsets, and most other mobile electronics with a single power supply. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Functionality?  Connection? Or would you consider AVOIDANCE?

Cell phones have taken over conversation.  Humans no long speak to one another, no longer listen to one another. We are caught up in this persistent wave of technology. Enters your family for Thanksgiving dinner and what is held in each hand? Not an offered handshake, not flowers, not candy…no!  Hands are carrying the cell phones already on! Wireless computers are clutched in the other hand. Instead of greeting the person whose home has been entered, we immediately connect to the handheld device instead of greeting the relative or friend that we have traveled to see! The very object that should increase our human connection with others is decreasing it right before our eyes!  As the receiver of this action, we find ourselves attempting to pry their eyelids away from the electronic device long enough for them to spit out a hello!

Christmas rolls around and steeped in commercialism, we forget that we are here to celebrate LIFE and the Christ child. Once again…the day has been overrun by hurried meals and a rush to the High Definition Modem for the latest in sports, as we place all of our energy and strength into the team that we want to win! And once again, we can not bear to listen to Aunt Sue speak about her day…because her loneliness would expect a reply from us…and it is much easier to press the button for a new channel!  While in another room, the young adults are catching up on the episodes that they missed on the High Resolution Definition Cable TV! Technology has once again defeated us!

The small talk is no longer important. The idiosyncrasies of this cousin or aunt are no longer considered.  Our little bits of humanity that once identified us as unique organisms on this planet Earth have become oblivious and unimportant to the new brain wave. I venture to say we are becoming less human!  Our generation is becoming more disconnected than previously.  In addition to the physical distance pulling families apart– the mileage now has entered the room in the form of a small, electronic device!

Easter is trying hard to keep up with the consumers–now we have Hallmark chickens that, with a push of a button, lay an egg before our eyes!  In any case, how did it come about that Easter rabbits brought chicken eggs?  Dare I have the family gathering only to be struck down with the wireless taking over?  Can I bear that humiliation that a computer screen is more worth their time?

Family gatherings we now suspend, as to technology our minds and hearts bend!  We are trapped in “rabbitization of humanity,” masking our humanity with the false impression of connection, with the rapidity of our fingers texting across the keys, seeking someone out there in cyberland, while ignoring the person smack in front of us!”Hurry, hurry, [we] can’t be late!” …the rabbit from Alice’s Wonderland foresaw the world we did now create! “No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date” could be transposed to “No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m texting, I’m texting, for my cyberfilled life!”

We do not appreciate the presence of one another but are drawn to the incredible illusion of “being with” someone on the cell phone as we text. How rude we have become as a people, as a nation — never happy with the present or the one present. That is exactly what this behavior is saying. The younger generation does not want to hear it but it is quite true!  After conducting several self-imposed surveys of young adults, the conclusion that I have come to is that texting alleviates the ability to respond.  We do not share our true feelings or colors. We can avoid the other person when we text.  Texting is impersonal and gets us off the hook. We can mask our response because our voice will not betray us.

Humanity is improved?  I think not! We have no time to stop and look into one another’s eyes…we have no time to hear the words of those with whom we speak…we do not meet….while our cell phones get the last tweak!

Despite the increase of a seeming connection, a rudeness abounds that lacks the affection!

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© 2012 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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A Chance Meeting with a Strong Woman…

Yesterday I had to go into the city for an MRI.  I went in at 8 and did not get to leave until 2:30 — since they gave me some meds to relax going into the MRI—well, they certainly took effect! LOL  Knocked me out until the afternoon! They suggested that I go to Mykonos across the street for coffee and something to eat prior to driving the hour home. I took their advice and sat myself down in the restaurant.  Well…I am not one for eating alone…too much of it….so I saw this elderly lady sitting over in a booth. She had been left off by a City Vehicle for the Elderly and was struggling  with a walker.

I thought, “Maybe she would like some company.” So I ventured over to her and asked her if she would mind if I would join her for dinner, since she was not with anyone and neither was I and I mentioned that I hated eating alone.  I know — probably put a little guilt pressure on her — but she invited me to join her.

The conversation that ensued was amazing! She is in her eighties and lives alone with her son, who has medical debilitating conditions and cannot help her with her domestic  chores or contribute to the income. This woman is a strong woman in a frail body. She has a heart defibulator, navigates with a walker, and has only one other friend in the city who recently had a stroke and is now in a nursing home in the city of South Milwaukee.

As her story unfolded I saw how strong this woman was, carrying the needs of her son all by herself. She told me that her husband left a long time ago and she raised her son by solo.

She revealed that her kitchen sink does not work.

She is too weak to do housecleaning and her son is not capable to do it.

She revealed her past history to me and that Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys was a distant ancestor. She has boxes of letters to verify this. She also bought a computer in 2010 to begin her writing  but it is still in the box! It is a Gateway.

Towards the end of the meal, she began to cry…and said, “Now I have another friend in this world.”

I was very humbled. As I went to her out of my loneliness and together we each found a new friend!

Here is where YOU come in.  She is ready to begin typing her memoirs but needs the computer set up to work. I need the help of any Computer Guru out there who can help.

I also told her I would help her unclog her sink.  I am not strong enough but I was wondering if any of my teacher friends  who are male, and have the upper body strength to turn a wrench could offer your free services?

If you are interested in helping this woman, then please respond here online or email me at janejohann126@gmail.com

I am trusting that some of you will have a little extra time to help a friend who needs our help.

I thank God for giving me the courage to ask to dine with her. I went to her for strength…and how much strength we can give  each other is phenomental!  This valiant woman and I truly broke bread together and she has given me new purpose.  Her commitment to live, to choose life, to take care of her son when she, herself, could use so much help. No self-pity just great strength! So welcoming to a stranger – me! God always does send someone…and she was sent to me to make my life better…and hopefully, with the help of some of you, I can help to make her life a little better!

 

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© 2012 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Responsibility for One Another

It is 3 AM and I am awake, disturbed significantly by the pain we cause one another. About a month ago, this young man of 28, Beau
Butschke , was murdered senselessly  —

“…No man is an island…any man’s death diminishes me

because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send

to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.”

John Donne

XVII. MEDITATION.

The death of Beau, brought  John Donne’s poem to my mind.  Bells that rang in memory of Beau’s short life, were also tolling for each of us.
The bell toll is calling us to wake up!  If there is any meaning or solace that can be attributed to this horrific act of violence, let the death of Beau not be in
vain.  Let his life call us to promote the good in each other.  Beau was a young man who lived with promise. He was part of each of us.

So many acts of violence occur daily here in this country and around the world.  We need to breathe
new hope for one another.  We need to be there for one another so that evil does not prevail and destroy us all.  Where is that cry today of responsibility for
one another? Why is life suddenly so cheap? What is causing so much anger in our world?

The news story told of his renter, a man in his 50’s, who had stolen Beau’s rifle two weeks earlier. This man was emptying the barrel
when Beau appeared on the scene. His question of “What are you doing?” was answered with a bullet…and then another…and then Beau breathed no more. Is life
was over and without asking his permission. The life of the assailant will no doubt end in prison. A third person is also added to the list of death…an 18
year old, who the assailant took under his wing several weeks earlier. Together they feasted in Beau’s home, eating his food, while his dead body lay concealed
in a storage unit. Meanwhile, Beau’s parents were suffering with the agony of knowing he had disappeared but not knowing where.  The suspects were caught separately as the
younger was looking for shelter and the assailant was attempting to flee the state.

The news story is done but Beau’s story is not done. When reading about Beau’s funeral, someone remarked that if something unpleasant happened, he would turn it around and
“give it a positive spin.”

Let Beau’s young life be a symbol of LIFE AFFIRMATION.  However small, let us help each other to grow and to love and not hurt each other.  Let his life become a ‘’positive  spin” for humanity.

Each person has a responsibility for the other. When one of us dies, a little of each of us dies also.  We need to encourage life and we need to realize that whatever positive
action we take, we are affirming life!

We offer his parents God’s tender blessings.

http://www.online-literature.com/donne/409/

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© 2011 Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jane H. Johann and johannisthinking.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.