#Wisdom, #Valentines, #Quotes
The constant challenge of modern relationships: how to prove more interesting than the other’s smartphone. [Alain de Botton]
I love this quote because it captures something at the core of our modern experience of relationship. Distractions abound these days and information, news, advertising and the ease of access to all of these attention grabbers often pull us away from relationship. With such easy access to an endless supply of entertainment via TikTok, Instagram or a plethora of other social media platforms, we can find ourselves endlessly ‘doom scrolling’ in a relentless search for our next dopamine hit. With so much interesting content, it can be difficult to disconnect and focus on the relationships which lie just beyond the reach of our arms! Often, these real-world relationships can seem dull in comparison to the endless stream of cat videos, fall reels, lifestyle reveals etc. etc. Rich colour often drains from the ordinary when we have ready access to the interesting and extraordinary moments out there in the world. The perennial challenge of healthy relationships, indeed, the key to them is cultivating an attitude of curiosity for and appreciation of the ordinary. In that way, we can be locate the extra-ordinary in the ordinary. That’s where true meaning lies. So, the next time you put your phone down, consider relationships which exist just beyond your arm, and remind yourself of the wonderful, interesting and extra-ordinariness of those close-by.