As I travel around the world, I am afforded many opportunities to observe human behavior.  Mostly, I enjoy people.  However, there are three developing trends that I have witnessed over the last twenty years that scare the bejesus out of me.

1. We are addicts.  I am not talking about drugs or alcohol.  I am talking cell phones.  Walking around airports, it is almost amusing to watch the crowds amble slowly by glued to their cell phones.  It looks like George Romero just released his most recent zombie movie called, “Texting the Dead.”  I understand and hate this addiction, as I find myself suffering from it.  Recently, I was on my way to the airport at 4:30 AM when I realized that, in my early morning haze, I had left my cell phone at home and I did not have time to go back to get it.  Panic is not a strong enough word to describe my reaction.  I frantically evaluated all my options and realized I had none except to leave without it and have my lovely bride ship it to me two days later (it was a Sunday).  For the next hour, I was completely unsettled emotionally and physically.  Having never been addicted to anything, I have to think that this is what it feels like to “jones” for a fix.  Interestingly, after a few hours, the panic subsided and I managed to actually thrive without the phone.  I found my own way to places without Google Maps; I waited until I was at my laptop to check email; instead of surfing the Internet, I read newspapers and talked to people.  It was so 1990.  By Tuesday, my phone arrived via FedEx. I was almost disappointed.  By Wednesday, my phone and I were once again inseparable. I had fallen off the wagon.
2. We worship the wrong heroes.  For this, I blame the media.  They would blame us.  Either way, I am so sick of the attention given to performers (actors, athletes, musicians and whatever the hell the Kardashians and The Real Housewives are).  Why exactly do we care about their lives, their clothes, and their every move when there are so many real heroes around us?  Yes, there are firefighters and law enforcers, teachers and social workers who clearly deserve our appreciation.  But, honestly, I think every single person who gets up, gets dressed, works their butts off to support a family and/or try to make a better life for themselves is a hero; toiling every day in anonymity to fulfill your responsibilities is a whole lot more heroic and worthy of our appreciation in my book.  I don’t begrudge performers, but why must we idolize people for celebrity rather than purpose?  I just wish we were as eager to celebrate the heroes in our communities as we are to watch the Oscars.
3. We are mean when we can’t be seen.  Technology has allowed us to hide behind keyboards and take pot shots at each other.  I like sports.  Specifically, I enjoy following my favorite team in each sport.  Consequently, I visit online sports message boards to keep tabs on what is going on with my faves.  Good Lord!  The comments and bickering AMONG THE FANS OF THE SAME TEAM are toxic.  There is name calling and bashing; I can only imagine what the site moderator has deleted.  You see it on social media, too.  We can’t seem to have a healthy debate about any topic, from politics and religion to who the starting five should be for the Fighting Illini.  It particularly bothers me to see comments made about our nation’s President that are disrespectful.  There are ways to express a differing point of view without resorting to vulgarities, personal attacks, and profanities, and yet, in the comfort of our own homes and behind the cloak of the Internet, we fire off venom.

I love people.  My passion is to help enhance relationships.  I want us to be amazing leaders, lovers, parents, spouses, sales professionals and service providers.  I just wish we would leave the cell phones at home more frequently, appreciate the true heroes around us often, and be kind to each other daily.  Because when we don’t, it scares me.