human interaction and hearing
a thought
The weather turned from a beautiful sunrise.
From splendid mauve and light pink to a wretched afternoon drenching within three hours this morning.
The week is one of memories—making them and calling them to mind. Millions are preparing to fight their way onto airplanes and trains and highways to reach their families. For some this Thanksgiving will be creating initial memories while for others it will be final ones. I wish everyone safety and huge portions of patience as it’s the wicked season for personal entitlement movements.
I am increasingly aware perhaps our greatest tribulation as we age is hearing. Studies indicate poor hearing is a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive memory decline. It’s a danger for driving when one cannot hear, distracting an already slowing reflex system. (This is especially concerning as we see so many people with that impatience problem). Poor hearing creates other nitnoy problems as well.
It’s also obvious that poor hearing undermines the flow of any conversation with an older person already likely confronting more isolation in life. Conversation and fellowship (in a gender neutral way) rather than food is really what this huge Thanksgiving gala creates. That someone not participate is worrisome; that someone else hijack the conversation by hoarding opportunities to speak and be heard is downright infuriating—and sad. But those who cannot hear likely will sit stoically or with a wan smile as if all were well when these individuals face the exclusionary condition that hearing loss creates.
We are naturally engaging creatures. Certainly introverts may crave that human response a bit less intensely than extroverts but the need to hear a human voice, to see a smile or even a frown, or to touch the hand of someone is as basic as eating something with vitamins for the nutrition it provides. Mental health relies on regulating interactions with others and thriving on that give-and-take. If COVID taught us little else beneficial, it taught us to crave human nurturing through conversation and interactions.
Whatever your particular plans for this week, I wish you enthusiasm, hope, patience, safety, and thanks for the privileges our lives bring. I hope I can be a good listener and to hear those talking with me. Hearing and listening obviously aren’t the same, neither are hearing and acting. Thought factors in there some, too.
Yes, actions most definitely create consequences in our Thanksgiving memory galas. Perhaps the most profound of those actions and consequences is participating in life as fully as possible. None of us always is engaged or happy or patient but we are lucky to be alive.
I am so privileged and grateful to engage with you and thank you for each day you read this column.
Do pack an extra huge portion of patience where ever you are spending the week. Be well and be safe. FIN