I am addicted to connection.
The more I wrestle with this whole issue of being fully present vs. always available the more I am beginning to discover the root of the issue. And I honestly don’t think that naming it an “addiction” is going to far. Dictionary.com defines an “addiction” as “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” So, I suppose the question then becomes whether or not this practice of “connection” is something to which I am enslaved.
Sure, everyone needs to be connected to something, or someone. That is human nature, and it’s how God created us to be. We need to be connected to God and connected to people around us. But is there a point at which that need to be connected becomes so habit forming that we are unable to be alone?
Our society and its instant gratification culture have made it possible to get anything we want whenever we want. Along with that, we can generally get a hold of anyone we want whenever we want. Between e-mail, instant messaging, facebook, cell phones, and “crackberries” we can connect with any person anywhere in the world at any moment.
And so, I am a product of my society. Back in the day I used to crave solitude. I can remember having the express desire to spend days alone – no computer, no cell phone – just alone. Lately, though, I can’t handle being alone. I am constantly connected to the internet (unless I am travelling from one place with wi-fi to another place with wi-fi) and when I’m not conected to the internet, I’m most likely texting this person or that. It almost seems like I need to be connected to someone at all times.
So, what is it that causes us to need this connection? Why do we have so much trouble spending time in solitude anymore? Will we ever get back to the point of choosing solitude over connection? What will it take to get us there?
