Anonymity and Royalty

The HyWy and I saw the King's Speech a while back and there were a few scenes that just stuck with me.  They weren't anything spectacular, but what they represented was a tremendous shift in the role of media.  One scene showed the Queen driven more or less unescorted to the doctor's office.  The second scene saw the doctor and the King walking through a park again unescorted.  What struck me about these scenes was not only that the royals were unescorted, but that they were also unrecognized.  Less than 100 years ago the primary monarch in what was (and still is) arguably the most important monarchy in the world could walk down the street in the largest city in the country they preside over WITHOUT being recognized.   Since then the progression of media has been exponential to say the least with the global acceptance of the camera, mass media, television, digital media, computer, cell phones, and finally mobile media.  Forget about a monarch going down the street unrecognized the average person can go from unrecognized to a global phenomenon in about a year with the right backing.  

Forgetting what it means to be alone

I was listening to a piece on the radio the other day about a book (whose title I don't know) that talks about the proliferation of social media and the impact it has on individuals spending quality time alone as well as on our feelings.  In this day of instantaneous communication it is difficult to truly experience your feelings.  Instead of taking in the moment (good or bad), processing it, and then sharing it the cycle is somewhat reversed with the sharing coming first, then perhaps processing it, and then at the end reflecting back on it.  For example, when there is good news to share the first reaction is to Tweet or Facebook it to tell our friends, which is not necessarily a bad idea.  However, I question the motive behind the need to share when it becomes a reaction rather than a desire to include people in our lives.  This leads me to the question about whether social media is a tool, which means our lives drive the use of it OR is it becoming something that drives our lives due to the incessant need to share.  Do we control the social media or does it control us?

A moment

I'm writing this story mostly because it was a brief moment in our lives that I feel encompasses the laughter and joy we share.  There are many of these types of moments, but I just wanted to take note of this one for our memories.

The other day I picked up the HyWy from work and we were driving through the town on surface streets stuck in traffic.  At a light, oblivious of those around us, I leaned in to get a quick peck on the lips.  The HyWy feeling playful teased me a bit with a confused look and asked, "oh you want a kiss?"  With a look of rejection I turned back to face the traffic and the HyWy noted that people were laughing at us.  I asked who and she pointed out a female passenger in the car next to us in the back seat who had watched this 'drama' play out.  She was trying not to be obvious, but was laughing.  I looked at her and gave her my best pouting face to show my sadness for the rejection.  In sympathy she nodded.  Then all three of us enjoyed the moment and laughed.  The beauty of this was it was an entirely wordless interaction with someone next to us as our windows were up the whole time.  After we drove away I did get my kiss:).  

O' Canada!

As I mentioned we were in Toronto for a wedding and I realized how much I really like Canada.  I've always liked Canada and the people, but this was about understanding how Canadians are different from Americans.  Both Canadians and Americans are fiercely patriotic and proud of their heritage.  However, the Canadian approach is more subdued and understated.  Americans wear their pride on their sleeves and anyone that questions it will be told, "go #$%* yourself!"  I'm not sure why either of the citizens are the way they are, but this is just my observation.

Reliving life

A few weeks ago the HyWy and I were in Toronto for my cousin's wedding.  While there we met another cousin who is 19 and just started college last fall.  Talking with my younger cousin made me reflect on my own life at that age.  I have memories of things that were going on for me then, but I began to think how interesting it would be to relive life with the perspective that one gains with age.  I'm not saying that I'm old and wise, but rather I think my views on situations and circumstances would be different if I realized what was really important.  For example, in talking with my younger cousin about her potential career choice (a path that I wish I had embarked on) I thought about how things might have changed if I was there to give myself the same advice.  In essence I guess I'm longing for the age old wish of every adult to relive their childhood. 

On anonymous acts

My friends and I are part of a movement to promote acts of kindness (AOK) through Smile Cards and one of the central ideas behind Smile Cards is anonymity.  The anonymity of one's act can come in different ways.  The two most obvious ways are by doing an act for someone you don't know even if they know you did it or doing an act for someone you know and they don't know that you were behind it.  For example, helping a stranger change their flat would be the first and the second would be gifting a friend something in the mail.  I had a conversation with an author a month or so ago about a third level of anonymity.  Typically HelpOthers promotes the sharing of stories as a way to inspire other people to perform their own acts.  However, in the third level of anonymity and the most difficult is to perform an act of kindness without telling anyone or sharing the story.  In our conversation the author and I felt that sharing our acts creates both a sense of excitement and attachment.  The person doing the act often becomes attached to the reaction of those that they are sharing the story with or if they story is online the number of comments that are made.  A truly selfless and anonymous act of kindness comes with no attachment or expectation for return from the recipient AND the universe.