PostModern Communication

One thing I have learned about the post modern generation is the value we place on communication. Perhaps this is because of our parents generation having such a problem in this area. They were hesitant to talk about things. We over talk everything. They stuffed their feelings and we go to counseling. It is interesting to me.

Recently I have encountered in many different areas of my life the pain of miscommunication. One sentence - or even a word that is carelessly thrown out can be misinterpreted and can leave a deep scar. With the value that we as a generation place on communication...and with the ease of technology (email, text messages and cell phones) ...one would think that we would not have as many issues as our parents. But since we are all flawed I suppose that is an impossibility. I think our parents thrived on the "less is more" philosophy. The less they talked about their feelings the better- which obviously brought on problems as I know many people who never heard their parents fight, never heard their dad say they loved them or that they were proud of them. Our generation rebels at that thought and talks about everything...sex, politics, feelings. But is that always the best thing?

I wonder if sometimes we are so worried about being heard that we don't fully think through what we are saying and how it might hurt someone else. I wonder if we are becoming a selfish generation in more than just the materialistic obvious ways. We not only want our voices heard...but we want things to go our way. And when we don't get what we want then we make sure everyone knows about it.

But where is Jesus in that? Where is the love in that? Maybe we would be better served as a generation if we started thinking of others first- looked at all the perspectives instead of just our own. Some things are not good or bad. Some things just are. And yes- it might not serve us in this moment....but maybe someone else desperately needs it.