This is Here

I had the opportunity to see Henry Rollins speak this past weekend (which I highly recommend to anyone and everyone I meet; poignant and hilarious shows) and blatantly stole the title of this entry from that performance. Henry told a story about traveling to Tibet and the woman who served as his guide. When she would arrive at a place of high importance, she would start her explanation with the phrase "This is Here". This has been stuck in my head ever since I heard it. It's an incredibly meaningful and profound way to describe a place and an even better way to describe a moment in time.

Whether you're at work, at home, the gym (bike/mountain/track/wherever), out on the town, etc; that's your moment. You can choose to actively disengage from wherever your physical self might take you...and in 2011 you have a plethora of ways to bail out on your present situation! In an increasingly interconnected world, the line between engagement and distraction becomes a little blurry; it becomes a question of physical engagement vs. conscious engagement i.e. where I am isn't exactly where I "am". Due to this fragmentation of our attention, the biggest statement we can make to someone (and to ourselves) is by being present, engaged and owning your moments. Consistent focus and legit engagement is becoming rarer than a Cubs World Series ring.

This splitting of our attention isn't inherently a bad thing, but it can detract from the statement that you make to those around you by being there in the first place. You can also completely derail yourself from the current moment. One of the most powerful things I do to non-verbally communicate with people (as well as to myself) that "I'm HERE" is to make a point of turning off my phone. Conversely, there is no easier way to get someone to consciously "check out" than to check your phone when they're saying something or expressing themselves. And it isn't just me: 14% of men have taken a call while on a first date; of that group, 61%  didn't get a second date (per Men's Health magazine). I'm willing to concede that there may be some unaccounted variables but that's still not a good sign for all parties involved.

Don't get me wrong: this isn't a diatribe against the smartphone, the digital age and the interconnected world by any means. Social media (in all its forms) has given me the opportunity to interact with people and places that I wouldn't have even known existed 10-20 years ago; plus the irony of blogging about disconnecting is like screwing over virginity. Just a quick reminder to be mindful of your moments as well as the impact that your engagement (or lack thereof) has on yourself and those around you.

Wherever you are, this is here.