Chris Vonada's Blog, page 10

How To Hook Up With The Right People To Make Your Train Hum

Image courtesy of WebbShots on flickr.com

As a little boy we lived not too far from some train tracks in central Pennsylvania. The trains weaved their way through the valley much the same as the West Branch of the Susquehanna River that also ran through our community. The Susquehanna was somewhat of a lazy river, having notoriety as the longest river in the continental US without commercial boat traffic. It meandered through the valley with majesty and tranquility. As little boys, my brother and I enjoyed playing with our friends both on the river and near the train tracks too, as we had to cross the tracks to get to the mountains where we loved to hike.

Down by the tracks it was pretty quiet too, like the river, until a train approached. Many little boys are fascinated with locomotives and the cargo they pull.

First of all, these trains looked really heavy. That theory was confirmed when I observed the thick steel rails they traveled on move up and down with each passing car. Second, they were really loud. There is no such thing as a quiet train. They rumbled. The noises they made included those emitted by the engine, which understandably had to be really noisy to move all of that weight; the cargo cars also made lots of noise as their steel wheels screeched across the tracks. It all just seemed like a lot of effort to transport the goods from one place to another. I learned much later that this is indeed efficient, that’s why the trains continue to hum.

Locomotives and the power that they use to tow are symbolic of the momentum that we can think of in life as we connect with the right people. Yes, relationships involve people. With that said, we can assume that they can get messy. So I was reading not too long ago about a train that flew off the tracks traveling some crazy speed well over what a turn was designed for. Pretty reckless. Slow down sparky! As a new year gets underway many people head out on a journey to rekindle old friendships, or to make new ones. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to consider. If you yearn for more there’s a book for that…

Most of the answers to finding the right people start from within. You have to get to know yourself before you can understand the dynamics of how a friendship or other personal relationship may proceed with another person. For example, if you’re an introvert, trying to be bold for the sake of making new friends may be intimidating or even overwhelming. Moreover, the people you tend to gel with during your venture as Braveheart may not fit as well when you find yourself settling back into a groove of watching Duck Dynasty or other inspirational controversy (aka, reality TV).


Making and keeping friends should be a conscious decision, not one of convenience or something that simply drifts you along through life like a raft on the Susquehanna. The influence your friends have in your life include the ability to change your values, character, habits and overall development to maturity. Seek wise counsel and stick close to those who you respect and who respect you as well. Remember the little engine that could… “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, huff huff huff, puff puff puff, and over the mountain he went!”


With that said, carefully considering your own values and interests, seek to identify people who share them. The best friends are a good influence and will help carry you through stormy weather. They will contribute to your happiness, and at the same time will tell it like it is when necessary to help keep you on an even keel. You will likely share a few common interests with them, be it fitness, travel, cooking or even the friendly banter of two goofballs (btw, these are all on my let’s-do list ). Watersports? Cowabunga! Whatever floats your boat, or makes your train hum…


Keep friendships in perspective. Don’t confuse the desire to be in healthy relationships with codependency. Our relationships should be a matter of choice, and not need. This is a huge red flag to the right kind of love, when someone emphasized they need you more than they love you. Avoidance is another train wreck waiting to happen – communication is necessary in all relationships in life. If a conflict arises we can’t always take the higher road, for the sake of restoration and growth we may have to walk through the mess. (Click To Tweet)


Don’t let toxic people linger in your life. Recognizing that we all go through it at one time or another, we have to carry each others burdens, being compassionate and empathetic to the needs of our loved ones. That’s not really what I’m referring to here. I think many people get stuck in toxic relationships. While it may be in human nature to sin, recognize there is inherent good in most everyone (I guess this is where we break free of the sociopaths – they need professional help). If someone emits a destructive or abusive atmosphere that is intimidating or erosional it’s time to get some distance, without delay. Letting them go doesn’t mean that you hate them, it just says at some point you recognize that it’s not healthy for you or your well-being. Nothing wrong with that.

Friends. Choose them wisely. Good people will bring out the good in you, and will always be a blessing in your life.

What criteria are most important to you when you choose the people to let into close proximity?

Finishing Well

The year of the selfie – Do you see what I see?

The year of the selfie went on by like a bubble in a boiling pot….

Time for some Random Newness… whatever that may look like, dare I ask?

If we could turn back time we could change everything, but we can’t. Today is today and tomorrow is another just the same.

I’m not sure my advice on the future is any better than the next guy (and there will be quite a few who will share their thoughts in the next week) but I do know this: as of right now, there is no flux capacitor to turn back time, so we need to make the most of every moment and do the right thing, right now. The pastor at my church makes a relevant point this way: if I look at your past, and I look at the path you’re on now, I can pretty much tell what direction you’re heading in, and what’s in your future. I don’t need to be onboard Doc’s souped-up DeLorean traveling at 1.21 Gigawatts to get a grip. Eternity starts right about now; embrace it, live it, and walk it out. It’s all a part of finishing well. Think of it as the door to eternity opening on the day you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and turn it all over to Him. This twist on finishing well is a little different from convention. Sort of a fresh, new perspective. It may make flipping over a new calendar seem pretty small, but it will change your attitude on heading home. If you wait to make the decision to finish well until the sky tears open like a curtain you very well may miss the boat, train or spaceship.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18

The prospects in eternity are endless…

The Joy of The Journey to Peace, Love and Unity beings now…

 selfie courtest of tim ellis at flickr.com

Thinking Of The Prince Of Peace And Wishing You Happy Holidays!

Image courtesy of Umi via Japanese Wikipedia

At this special time of year that always leaves my spirit refreshed with joy and love I hope that you find a special closeness with your friends and family, and with the Prince of Peace as well. This is a rough time of year for many, during and after the holidays, a time filled with stress and mixed emotions. Strive to be a beaming lighthouse filled with God’s love for all to see, and hold on to that which brings true joy – a walk with Jesus as it will transcend any circumstance.

“The men who followed Him were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham

Peace be with you, and God bless!

The Wellspring Of Life: The Last Chapter

The Wellspring – pouring into it so it will be good to the last drop!

I’m down to writing the last chapter of The Wellspring Of Life. That in and of itself is pretty exciting in my little world, but I’m finding it so fitting and meaningful at Christmas this year because this chapter is all about Jesus. The Man at the well handing out the living water, the place where we ultimately find fulfillment in a way that only a relationship with Jesus can provide.

The Bible is laced with symbolism and metaphors related to water and the blessing that it provides. Life grew out of and is sustained by water. Our lives are abundantly fruitful like the tree planted next to the stream when we delight in, apply and live by God’s wisdom. He leads us to and provides the still waters that will protect us from harm and restore us when we go astray. We find eternal life and love through the streams of water that our soul thirsts for. We can and should share this water with everyone, both good and evil, and God will reward us. The Book of Ecclesiastes says we are to “cast our bread upon the waters” – meaning life will provide both risk and reward, and that we must seize them both as opportunities. Love is the action verb of the heart, a perfect gift from above and one that we can only learn from God and live out when it flows like a river of water unconditionally from our hearts. Praise God, this water of life is drawn from the well of salvation.

This title sprouted and blossoms from Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. I attempt to unlock the power of this verse with a bank of knowledge that comes from The Bible in pitch perfect harmony with an education and career as a Geologist working in Environmental and Water Resources Consulting.

The bloody organ we call the heart pumps life through our veins like Jesus offers hope for our souls. While I started this book several years ago somehow I knew it wasn’t time to finish it. I wasn’t ready and still had much to learn. While I hope to be learning much more along my journey, now is the time and I’m targeting to polish this one up and release it in mid-February.

I’m pretty stoked about this book because I believe it is needed, unique and will add value to anyone who is interested in self-improvement; anyone who is interested in improving their relationships with other people; and anyone who cares to make the most of what this life has to offer. Yep, I’ve poured my cup into this one.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse related to water or the heart?

Image by Michael Scott on flickr.com

How We’re Thinking: From Parenting To Cultural Change

My sweet daughter Rachael graduated from UF Health Jacksonville! She worked hard and earned it, so excited for her!!

I just finished this way cool book by Andy Andrews called “The Noticer Returns.” Since I don’t write book reviews here any more please feel free to follow this link over to Amazon.com where you can read my review and those by many other people who also love this book. I was pretty stoked when I started reading “The Noticer Returns” and realized that we’ve been thinking in parallel, surely moved by the Holy Spirit in some very similar ways recently. All this year I’ve been thinking more and more about having influence beyond what we typically consider traditional boundaries. From everyday heroes to participating in a Disciple Group that is the truest slice of community that I’ve ever seen in a church, I am inspired to say that for the sake of unity and furthering God’s kingdom, change is taking place in our community. Those that matter are making a difference. Andy’s book left me with the usual warm and fuzzy feeling, and it tied up some loose ends for me, providing wisdom and understanding.

Developing a better understanding of culture was one outcome of reading this title for me. Andy’s character Jones states, “If you are ever going to change a culture, you have to understand how it was created in the first place.” He shows us how it all starts with our thinking…

Thinking determines choices.
Choices create actions.
Actions yield results—good or bad.
Results determine reputation—collectively resulting in a culture.

So it really does all go back to how we’re thinking. If we are focused on our entitlements or enforcing our values on other people, we’re not thinking clearly and in a way that will create cultural change. The how of thinking is the thought process of creating change through influence. It starts at home or in a small circle of close friends, and radiates out from there. Sounds pretty simple, right? It gets messy when we don’t all agree on every issue. It’s sort of like a dysfunctional family, or even within a congregation at a church. I’m not even referring to the variety we see when we visit a different church, or when we look up a different denomination or religion on Google to see what they’re all about. Goodness, to think even further, what about different political affiliations or even the variety of opinions we see across the globe on cultural issues. And so we do tend to congregate, or circle up the wagons in groups of people who are similar to us. Do you know the most segregated day of the week? For most people, it’s Sunday, of course, the day when we spend the most time with our family, at our church and in our close circles (key word here being most).

My current epiphany transgressed to my daughter Rachael. Last week she completed her program at UF Health Jacksonville. She worked hard and earned it, juggling a growing family that includes two little boys that I love and adore. Two of her classmates spoke at her graduation ceremony, and they both shined a light on Rachael’s personality and demeanor, saying what a joy it was to work with her and how bubbly she is even in the midst of stressful days. I told her that was a HUGE compliment to her as both of these traits will take her very far in life. Plus, it’s infectious, creating an atmosphere around her that transforms other people and their lives. Pretty sweet. And therein lies the how of changing…

culture in our tribe…
culture in our city…
culture in our country.

I truly believe the next 2 decades will possibly see more cultural changes, especially in America, than we have experienced in any other time in our history. I expect this will be very unsettling to people my age and those over 35 now as their influence is eroded as a byproduct of this process of cultural change. Things that our generation thought mattered will not mean all that much to a growing population that will become our new leaders.Think of this in terms of what is transpiring in our cultural acceptance of gay rights. The idea spreads from there. Our greatest opportunity is helping to transform the “how of thinking,” and it centers on the love of Jesus.

“Rapid change sweeps aside the status quo and those that defend it (the stuck former geniuses and the stuck bureaucrats). It replaces them with those willing to leap.” Seth Godin

Our thought process and the how of thinking determines our culture. Thank you Andy Andrews.

So how do we influence thinking, as in how to think?

- We have to keep it extremely focused, simple and forward thinking.

- We have to define our core values that matter, and the process.

- We have to work from the inside out.

- We have to emulate the love of Jesus.

That one word brings it all back together. Love.

To be continued…

How would you go about encouraging someone on how instead of what to think?

The River That Flows Backwards

St. Johns River flowing through Jacksonville at night
Image courtesy of Don Dearing on flickr.com

Did you know the vast majority of rivers in the world flow from north to south? This is almost a freaky weird statistic, molding our distinction about north being on top of the world. King of the hill. For goodness sakes, even Santa lives up there!

I think the misnomer about which way rivers are “supposed” to flow comes about partially because our minds are conditioned to believe, when considering a map, that north is up(hill) and south is down(hill). Kinda like the drip drip drip of the coffee pot.

These north-to-south flowing rivers do follow a basic rule of plumbing. There are actually 3 basic rules of plumbing. Don’t know them? The 3 rules of plumbing: (1) hot’s on the left, cold’s on the right, (2) stuff, like waste, or sewage (a nice way of putting it) doesn’t flow uphill, and (3) payday is Friday. Which rule do the rivers follow? Ummm, it’s #2.

In fact, all rivers follow the second rule of plumbing, even those that flow backward. Of the rivers that flow backward, or south to north, the Nile River is the most famous, the world’s longest an incredible distance of 4,150 miles!

Locally, in Florida, the St. Johns River flows backwards. It’s been long postulated that the St. Johns flows to the north because Georgia sucks, but that’s just hearsay. Curiously, the  source of the St. Johns lies along State Road 60, just west of Vero Beach (where I grew up), and it’s mouth is in Jacksonville, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Yep, Jax is where I live now. So this quiet, southern river is somewhat of a metaphor of life to me, you know, like from “As You Like It”…

“All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances” William Shakespeare

And so in many ways on the stage of life, what we project comes back around. Life, I guess, sort of flows backward too – what we cast out, be it love, joy, a pleasant demeanor, or whatever, what we bring to the table comes back to us in many ways just like casting a fishing pole upstream into the river.

This is the chapter of the long-term impact of our decisions and how they help to determine our destiny, the conditioning of our heart, and what’s going to happen here in this life. Have you ever heard of The Butterfly Effect? It basically states that small changes in initial conditions, such as a butterfly flapping its wings, can have global consequences even on weather patterns. In the same way, Andy Andrews showed us specific examples of how the actions of people have shaped history. The scientific community embraced this as “The Law Of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.” This happens in nature, and in life.

The St. Johns River didn’t just up and decide one day that it was going to flow to the north. A long history of sea-level fluctuations carved the shoreline of the Florida peninsula, leaving a trough along the eastern seaboard that sloped ever so slightly in a northerly direction. Within the trough, rainwater collects, and follows that second rule of plumbing – it has to go somewhere, so it flows downhill under the force of gravity.

Can you reflect on a decision in life that had a significant impact on your future? Boy, I surely can. I have 3 adorable grandchildren that stem from a decision that I made decades ago, and that I’m thankful for. Do all of our decisions turn out that way? Not necessarily, there were many painful experiences along the way that also came into play. My faith journey similarly blossomed from a seed that was sown years before, during a storm huddled under a rock with a guy who told me about Jesus that made sense to me for the very first time.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19

We reap what we sow, be it good fruit, and in the choices we make. Our compadres are another great example of those who influence us. They all become embedded in our heart, and reflect out from there. Like the river that flows backwards… it didn’t just decide to be that way, the choices and forces of mother nature made it that way. Could that all change one day? Or, could I make decisions today that will change the future, not just for me, but also for my grandchildren, or even for people far away that I don’t even know? Just as importantly, can I make changes that will have the effect of taking my heart back to a better condition when it is hurting? I think so, as long as we’re still players on Shakespeare’s stage of life, there is hope for good old pitter patter.

Recognizing that many of our choices in life affect our heart, what could you change today to put your heart on a better path for tomorrow?

Are there any rivers near your home that “flow backward?”

This post is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, “The Wellspring Of Life.” You can read more about this book and my other titles by clicking this link.

The Most Powerful Story You’ll Ever Tell (And Why You Should Practice Telling It)

It all started upon this rock…
Image courtesy of VernsPics on flickr.com

“The only thing you can take with you to heaven is some more people” Joby Martin

The most important part of our journey here in this life may be summed up as:

- Being in a growing relationship with Jesus.

- Making disciples along the way.

How do we do this? Well, being in a growing relationship with Jesus is a big part of a story we get to share called our faith story. This is the part about how things have changed since we put our faith in Him. And telling our faith story to other people is quite often how we bring other people along with us to heaven. Grab a megaphone and belt it out, the most powerful story you’ll ever tell!

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

These verses are commonly referred to as The Great Commission, Jesus telling the disciples to go and make more disciples. The most powerful tool that each of us has to carry out The Great Commission is our faith story. This story is going to be different for each of us. You know your faith story better than anyone and are uniquely qualified to share it. This is one of the easiest stories that you will ever tell, just be open and transparent. In fact, Jesus is asking that of each of us, that we share our story with other people. Getting to heaven isn’t like being accepted into a tacky social club, it’s an open invitation for everybody. Why wouldn’t we want to bring every person on planet earth along with us to this place called heaven? So please share your faith story, often.

Every faith story has the following 3 basic parts:

This is where I was before I met Jesus.


This is how I was introduced to Him.


This is how my life is now.

My faith story started decades ago. If I think about it there are a number of events that brought me to know Jesus, the one that I share the most is called “The Journey Home” here at I’m Just Thinkin’. That one encounter as a college student with a believer huddled up under a rock in the wilderness during a gully washer changed everything for me.  It was years later that I actually accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and there have been many times since then that I’ve fallen off the path, but that’s the one event I can point to that indeed changed my life. My faith is still growing (a good thing), so my story is alive like a fruit tree. If you are interested in reading a part of my faith story please click this link to “The Journey Home.” It remains very dear to my heart, written on the tablet if you will. I share it often with anyone who will listen.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but the best fruit comes from the soil that is fertile, when the weather is favorable, and with strong branches, vine, and root stock… and most importantly under the direct care of an attentive gardener. Yep, it’s in the Bible, check out John Chapter 15.

Do you have your faith story well rehearsed, so that you can share it with the next person who needs to hear it?

The Enduring Value Of A Water Well

Image courtesy of thewaterproject.org

This post is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, “The Wellspring Of Life.” You can read more about this book and my other titles by clicking this link.

Value. Whenever I think of value, I think of something that is a good investment. Some of my friends poke fun at me for wearing clothes that have seen better days. A few are tattered, some even frayed, and maybe one or two with holes in them. They’re comfortable to me, I guess that’s why I pull them out of the closet and keep wearing them so frequently. I figure the threads I wear should be durable. Some of my brands in clothing are that way too, a better value for the price because they last longer. I think that’s a good choice. Is throwing that penny into the wishing well a good investment, or of value? lol… not sure about that, but it is also a choice we can make. And you may just end up beating a well grooved path to that one.

When it comes right down to it though there are some things that are necessities in life, and having a supply of potable water to drink is a need right at the top of the list.

Vast bodies of water stored in our environment are typically in underground reservoirs called aquifers, or in natural or man-made lakes or surface bodies of water. And while there are some environmental variables, generally speaking when we identify a body of water sufficient to supply the needs of a community we call it a resource. It will provide for their needs over a long period of time. These significant resources are replenished by mother nature in the form of precipitation that either runs off the land surface into the surface water body that we’re tapping, or infiltrates into the ground to the underground aquifer.

A water well, properly planned, located and constructed in the right place, drilled to the right depth and tapping an extensive aquifer, adds value. Generations can enjoy fresh drinking water from that well. There is a long-term residual effect of our efforts. We could say there is a reason to hold that source in high regard, protecting it from pollution or depletion.

Our western society sort of takes water for granted. Less so than in the past as alternative supply is more costly, but in comparison to many third world countries or crisis areas, indeed, it remains true today. I was just reading a story yesterday, it seems the primary dilemma for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is water supply. One man reportedly is hiking 3 hours round trip every day to the nearby mountains to collect water from a stream, hoping that it is safe for his family. There are surely many others like him. No doubt safer than what he can find near his home at this time. Humanitarian efforts continue globally in our day and time to reach out to impoverished third world countries and their people, providing water and wells that often mean life to them, or significantly extend their life expectancy. Once we identify the reservoirs, civilizations can form around them, becoming dependent on them, sort of like an oasis in the desert.

Some of our choices are just that way too. When we make a choice to head down a path we should be thinking about added value. Value to continue, or move in a forward direction. Like a quality of life thing. Value like the well. How will this decision effect my future? How will it affect my family, and their lives? What are the implications? Maybe these are residual effects then of our choices.

Consider the Doppler Effect. This wave phenomena is most easily recognized in hearing, as is the case when we hear a train approach and then pass. The sound waves in front of the train become more condensed, while those trailing the locomotive are spread out. The same thing happens in the transmission of fluids, like the water in a well and, yep, even the flow of blood through our heart and the rest of our body. In fluids, we can measure the movement of particles that are within the liquid to determine velocity, and to show the Doppler Effect. Pretty cool how the residual frequency of a wave gets more and more dispersed after the source passes, like the waning of the full moon until the time of the new moon.

The vestigial presence and value of our choices, directly and through the vision of the Doppler Effect. For our generation, making choices that bring goodness and abundance. All good stuff that we can then pass on to the next, and the one after that. The pleasing comfort like a well-worn pair of pajamas that you can’t wait to feel against your skin again as they spin in the dryer. The brand you know you can order online because you know the maker. And our Maker who we know we can go to, like going to the well in prayer. It just keeps adding value. Like the enduring value of a water well.

Like doing things right.

And doing the right thing.

Where does the water supply come from in your community?

What are some of the choices that you’re making today that you hope will impact future generations in a positive way?

The 4 Necessities To Leading A More Meaningful Life

All of the answers are out there…

How do we lead a more meaningful life? A good question to ponder. If you haven’t figured it out completely you’re in good company. We’ve been working our way through the book of Acts in the Bible and talking a lot about goals and the journey itself in our Disciple Group. I shared my thoughts on developing a personal mission statement a couple of weeks ago here at I’m Just Thinkin’. This topic is mondo.  Without being too wordy I wanted to share with you today what I feel are the 4 necessities to leading a more meaningful life:

Identify with your maker. We are left with a gaping hole in our heart and in our soul without identifying with a greater power. I don’t think you’ll find the meaning of life without identifying with your maker. The script for the bigger picture has already been written… where will you be at the end of the story?


Develop a giving spirit. For it is in giving that we receive. It’s about people and not about the stuff. Zig put it this way: “If we don’t feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” Yep, it’s all about giving. If you find joy in the shopping mall there is a greater feeling that lasts in your heart, it’s found in helping other people.


Make time for the most important priorities. Our world is more fast paced than ever, and the stream of information can sometimes be overwhelming. Don’t spend time on senseless controversy. I bypass much of the daily news for just that reason. In many respects, the journey is the goal, in this life. We can make the most of it by focusing on our most important priorities.


Forgive. Forgiving feels like we’re folding our hand at times. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28. Need help getting this part done? Here’s a forgiveness prayer. It works!

There have been excellent books written on leading a more meaningful life, and on these 4 necessities individually. This is a brief blog post, with some links to some other blog posts that I’ve shared. All good stuff, if you want to dig in deeper. I’m not planning a book of my own on this, just something that God has laid on my heart to think about, to try to wrap my arms around, and to share here today.

What do you feel are the necessities to leading a more meaningful life?

Do you believe in the concept that “the journey is the goal,” in this life?

What We Can Learn About Connectedness From The Digital Natives

Image courtesy of Florian Seroussi at flickr.com

Does LOL mean that you’re happy? Maybe when accompanied by a winky face. All caps means more than (lol) so I guess that gives us a clue to the tone. How about the body language of the chuckle? Sarcasm? Ummm, can’t really tell. And perchance you’re just trying to massage or persuade me? Ugh, now I’m confused.

Without aural clues, communicating by text and the like can be extremely superficial, lacking in depth or perspective. Ok, and your point is?

The digital natives are growing up in a different world of connectedness, all of which is not bad or misplaced. I think of being able to communicate with a  tweet or in text as another excellent way to convey a thought or influence.

While it’s true that I may be missing tone and inflection in this medium, do I really need all of that to let someone know that I’m running 10 minutes late? A simple “good grief… running late!” would suffice, I don’t really need to chat on the tele for 5 more minutes just to add the feeling of sorrow, right? Hats off to etymology, Shakespeare and the #hashtag…

Being different or communicating in a different way doesn’t always mean abominable. Consider the arrival of the telephone. Don’t remember the advent of the string and 2 cans? LOL… not likely, since it was in the late 1800′s! Interestingly, Alexander Graham Bell’s first successful spoken words to his assistant Thomas Watson over the early telephone, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you!” Soon enough there was wire strung on poles connecting people everywhere… and with those famous words the average teenager responded to their parents by not answering their cell phone and learned the art of mastering ambiguity, preferring the form of exchange now commonly known as text.

I think when we become self-absorbed or resistant to change we LOSE connectedness.

Marcia Eckerd, Ph.D., states “I think learning about how others feel, social connectedness, and moral responsibility are related.”

Indeed, consider the cyber bullying issue. I applaud the laws targeting this as a criminal act. Here in Florida, that’s mainly directed at juveniles in schools. And what about adults? Surely they wouldn’t partake in such an immature act, right? Well, have you ever seen a parody profile on Twitter? Someone took the liberty of creating one for me, and a MySpace site too (btw, I’ve never done MySpace). I’m sure it was just some juveniles. I guess it comes with the territory and the notoriety of having a presence, making a positive difference and trying to change the world. Heck, even the pastor at our church has pundits!

Leslie Postal of the Orlando Sentinel says, “Actions that could get students in trouble include creating webpages in which they pretend to be someone else, posting bullying messages on sites or sending them to others via phones or computers.”

Yep, the things we can learn about connectedness from the digital natives…

My thought is this: being responsibly present in the moment, in whatever that entails, could prove to have the greatest positive impact. Simple, direct and personal interaction will always be better than any fancy ecard or digital message. Call texting the medium of misunderstanding if you will, but I believe it has a place and purpose, and short transactional bits are here to stay. Something else to be thankful for. I expect we will continue to learn from younger generations as well as nurture them from our experiences. That’s disciples making disciples, across the board.

Do you ever feel “left behind” when culture changes, or when the next generation views the world differently?

What have you learned from the younger set recently in your daily walk?