Throughout the world there’s constant pressure to be plugged in 24/7 and leading medical experts are demonstrating that it’s causing serious health problems. A lady in Finland who always had her face in her phone was outside walking one day. Her walk took her to a familiar place by a lake and a pier that went out over the water. While completely engaged with her phone on a social media site, she quickly became aware of where she was as she walked off the pier and fell into the freezing water. Fortunately for her, the water was shallow enough so that she was able to emerge only with embarrassment and a frozen bottom. For the first time in human history, we can connect with people across the globe in a matter of seconds in one place. It’s an astonishing concept that our ancestors would call fantasy.

So, why doesn’t the internet make you/me/all of us happier? The truth is this. Screens might link us to people across the globe, but screens disconnect us from people across the room.
“Screens might link us to people across the globe, but screens disconnect us from people across the room.”

1. No phones at meals. Everyone turns off their phone/tablet when you have a meal together. Real conversation might happen.
2. Call someone just to say hi. (Do it right now!)
3. Talk to someone and become a really good listener.
4. Volunteer. Giving of yourself makes you and others feel connected.
5. Write. Keep a journal and begin to know yourself and what is most important to you.
Deepak Chopra said, “Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.”
Real connections will bring you greater joy and as always……Choose Joy!

By Melanie Kasper
liveJoy Founder and Life Coach