An abandoned theatre in the Sinai desert. I’ve been here, not physically, but I sure do know this feeling. Standing on stage, looking out at a sea of empty seats, or in some cases an auditorium full of faces looking back at me, with a feeling of ” OK, now what” I remember once I was talking to a huge gathering about the subject on the importance of managing stress in the workplace. Part of the “talk” was going to be a demonstration on proper ergonomics in a work setting, this was in the early days of computers, when hospitals and government offices were changing over to the use of a computer. Today we of course take this technology in stride. Some of you will not remember when a cell phone was unheard of, and when the first ones did come along for more general use, they were the size of a man’s shoe. LOL remember Get Smart… if you don’t, its OK, if you do, you’ll have a chuckle. Anyway I digress, back to auditoriums, lecture halls and the like.
Addressing a large gathering and actually reaching all your audience is next to impossible, but if you can reach a good portion of them, you’ve had a successful meeting. When there is a crowd, it is not always easy to listen to what is being said, we are often distracted by our own busy minds or the chatter of others. In a room full of other people, it is easy to be distracted, but on a one and one, are you a good listener? Back in the day when this theatre pictured here was being used, what was it that drew such a large audience, was it a big screen that is out of sight, or is this where people gathered to hear or listen to special events. Guess, for now we won’t know, BUT, when you are in a situation where you are the listener, in the now and today world, it is really important to clear your mind so you are hearing what is being said, so you can know a person’s true intentions
One of my realities, that I learned early on in my career was, people came to my talks, often I faced a room full of people, not because I was such a hot speaker, or the topic I was talking about, was important to their work habits and helpful in managing stress in their lives, but because it offered them a break in their routine. It gave them an opportunity to get away from the office, and be in a place that was full of people in a more laid back setting, and …… often there was free coffee/tea and sandwiches and treats. =^_^= The ones who came to listen, and did take in what was being presented to them, were the ones that walked away with new information and helpful guidelines to make their time at work or at home, a more productive and healthy place to be. The others, well they came away happy too, they had just had a nice morning or afternoon break from their everyday, ho-hum workdays”jobs”.
Teachers, Librarians, Health Care Professionals, are all learning to adapt to a world that is full of technology. Technology has many benefits, but human interactions, can not be allowed to become a thing of the past. Communication, social and otherwise, needs to be maintained. Today – I hear about internet learning, schools and programs where students no longer need to go physically to the University or where the employee can work from home, nice, and certainly there are positives, but care has to be taken that we don’t allow our world to become empty and void of “real contact” with others.
Trem da Esperanca (Jorge da Paixao and Tereza Onaga) – Viajje comigo, No trem da esperanca, Sente-se ao meu lado Na Poitrona do amor. Let’s travel together on the t rain of high hope. Sit here beside me on the seat of love. Deslize comigo nos trilhos da vida levando mesagens de paz e amor. Please join with me on the journey of life, we’ll carry messages of peace and of love. Na paz mundial nos vamos chegar O seu maquinista. We’ll finally arrive at the place of world peace. (excerpts from PL song, Brazilian Portuguese to English)
Power lies in prayer – may the happiness of life fill your world today! Oyashikiri…
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