THE NEED TO CONNECT The search for more… “Hopefully thought provoking for your soul”MEejie

— BY MEEJIE™ CHAPARRO-TRAVERSO, CPC

It seems everyone in our world is obsessed with technology and social media. If you simply scan your surroundings, you see humanity constantly attached to cell phones, computers, iPads, tablets, etc. Phone calls, texting, social media, and overall integration of technology in our lives is not limited to only when we find ourselves in the privacy of our homes. We’re plugged in while we’re in restaurants, parks, schools, work, and sadly, even while driving.

There is a lot of criticism today regarding the excessive use of social media and technology and its alluring and addictive components. Nevertheless, we somehow manage to justify its excessive use as an “urgent need.”

And now, due to these unprecedented times of the lashes forced upon us by COVID, the trend appears to be the new norm in business, communication, and in our relationships interaction.

There is a lot of criticism today regarding the excessive use of social media and technology and its alluring and addictive components. Nevertheless, we somehow manage to justify its excessive use as an “urgent need.” We make up excuses and offer justifications to give ourselves permission to connect. We offer numerous reasons why it is acceptable to be “hooked-up” to our phones or other technology devices - we attach it to work, children, family members, significant others, school, coaches, anyone, or anything else. Our hook-up is constant.

We succumb and give way to a “false sense of urgency” that takes over our lives and attribute it to tasks and responsibilities we have by convincing ourselves it can’t wait. We do so in order to justify and condone the need we have to be constantly connected.

Social media sites make it so easy and extremely appealing for us to continue. This sharing and engaging in virtual and technological connections is a fast growing trend of our society. This trend speaks volumes about our “innate” need to interact and to carry on relationships with others. Perhaps, the issue at hand, a “ghost-like” issue, is not our addiction to social media and technology but one of more, and one that goes beyond acknowledgement. One that is not seen as an essential need for our emotional and social development as individuals. One that is a basic need, which manifests in every aspect of our lives. The need for healthy, fulfilling and loving relationships.

There are some efforts and movements, which seek to raise awareness regarding the excessive use of social media, smartphones, technology, and the detrimental effects they have on our relationships as they oftentimes can debilitate and discourage face-to-face social interaction. This effort to stop peoples’ addiction to social media and technology although often warranted might overlook the root cause for some.

People become immersed in this virtual and technological world and fail to properly engage with each other. There is, perhaps, much validity to this assumption. However, has it occurred to us that there might be another possible trigger to this social and technology addiction we have? Could there be a greater need we have that is being overlooked? Perhaps, peoples’ desperate need to escape and avoid the realities of their current lives is a need for something more or something greater. Maybe it is a result of their need to have fulfilling and healthy connections with others. Perhaps, an indication that at the very core isn’t satisfied.

Our quick and general assumptions of the willful engagement with technology by the masses is seen as giving into a “hook-up” life style. Yet, it may possibly fail to see that this addiction to social media and technology for some people is nothing other than a desperate attempt to connect. A need to have meaningful and healthy relationships in interactions with others. A need for acceptance, validation and maybe even love.

I submit this so called addiction to social media and technology is an overwhelming consequence to, and a product of people’s need to connect. In essence it might be a cry for help.

Maybe it stems from living lives where we aren’t having not enough fulfilling relationships and interactions with others. Could it possibly be that we are experiencing such a devastating lack of intense connections? Healthy relationships founded on real and deep communication? Do we find ourselves in such a desperate need for connections that we are resorting to finding and even creating them via technology and the internet? Could it be that we, as individuals, so desperately need to satisfy our emotional needs and connect with others at a much deeper level than we realize? Is it that we rather connect with anything or anyone in order to avoid void a healthy and loving relationship with ourself?

Although much criticism exists around our current social media and technology addiction phenomena, and perhaps, there’s much truth to the fact that we seem to have abandoned “being present” - “in the moment,” enjoying our current lives and those around us. I also see something more; something worth pondering upon, and perhaps, something worth sharing;

I see people’s subtle, (or maybe not so subtle) cry for a connection. I see people’s urgent need and desire to connect with others. I see a desire for acknowledgment, validation, acceptance and love. A need for a recognition is so vastly that they are willing to indiscriminately share details of their personal and private lives with anyone. I see individuals willing to forgo their present experiences, moments and relationships in order to find stimuli for their minds. A need to satisfy emotional voids. A cry for help, a need to connect. What better way of ensuring that there’s someone available at the other end?

“Let’s lend a hand, fill a void, nurture relationship, or just say hello!” MEejie

We are masters at creating stories, imagining things and at dreaming. This amazing ability we have possibly sparks creativity and encourage our engagement. It offers us a tangible way to escape into “another world.” To avid a deeper look at ourselves.

This world of imagination where we fantasize and dream. A way to experience emotions, engage in actions, or simply pretend we are part of something more, in this case our own story plot. Private details of our lives exposed. Boundaries unknown. Safety at risk. Sharing unlimited. Limitless audiences.

Beneath it all, it is possibly a cry for help, a need to connect, a search for more. A NEED for a deep and loving relationship with ourselves and a the unveiling of a spiritual CONNECTION with our soul!