We now live in a world that is a hybrid.

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A hybrid of both the virtual world and the real world.

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Coming together from all over on computer screens.

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Yet there is still life happening right in front of us.

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In the reality of this physical world.

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We still need to touch other people.

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To see them, to hold them, to smell them.

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We are still living in physical bodies that have physical senses.

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And as much as going virtual has opened us to meeting people from around the globe, it does not replace connecting with people in our own town.

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It cannot.

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For the experience of being with someone who is right in front of us, looking into their real eyes, hearing their real voice, is not something that can replaced.

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There is a joy that comes from the connection to the people who are in the same room as we are.

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To being present to what their whole body says.

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And to feeling the tactile sense of a handshake, a hug, or a kiss.

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For some people, so much of life is now spent online.

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In that flat, distant connection that happens through our computers and phones.

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And it does serve a purpose.

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It does help to be able to connect with loved ones who are far away.

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And we still need to have the real life experience of being with people.

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In being so close to them that you can touch them.

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Feeling the air move between you.

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Watching how they sit in their chair, or stand up straight.

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There is so much richness in the moment when we are with someone in person.

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The light that comes from their eyes, or the comfort of their voice.

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It all makes a difference to us.

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Yet it is easy to lose that richness when we get so used to connecting through the virtual world.

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Coming together in person builds more trust and deeper relationships than we can possibly create at a distance.

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So perhaps we can learn to value that in person experience a bit more.

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Maybe we can remember what it is like to hold other human being, and be held.

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The joy of that physical connection.

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And the comfort of their presence in our lives.

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Nothing can replace being in the presence of those we love.

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So let us remind ourselves just how precious those experiences are.

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Making just a little more room in our life for actually being in the same room with people.

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There is no replacement for the physical connection.

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No matter how good our screens get.

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So where in your life can you make some more for seeing people in person?

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~ Sam Liebowitz, The Conscious Consultant

Host of The Conscious Consultant Hour