I’m sitting in Starbucks this morning. I have my computer out (obviously) and my ear buds in, but I’m not listening to music… intentionally. Since 7am, people have been constantly flowing into this place and little by little, bit-by-bit, it has almost filled up. Everyone has their own agenda; each individual has a list of important things they need to begin tending to just as soon as they get that much needed shot of taste bud hell… I mean, espresso.

I wonder why everyone seems so closed off. I wonder why no one talks to each other. Scanning the room, I see a big group of separated people. Separated by status. Separated by age. Separated by life. The one thing everyone seems to have in common is the reality that we are all in the same room, yet completely isolated from each other.

There are 2 people sitting next to each other at the table in the middle of the room- judging from the intense glare on their faces, they are both obviously doing something really important on their Macbooks. There is no one else at the table except the two of them. Maybe they don’t know each other. Or maybe they are married… Maybe they decided to come to Starbucks so they could get coffee, look mad at the world, and get on their computers to do important things while not talking to each other.

There is a old guy sitting in the corner by himself. He has been playing with his phone for about 30 minutes. No coffee, no delicious, unhealthy, pastry treat. Just an old dude and his phone. He could be trying to figure out how to text message. Or maybe he is trying to figure out why his phone keeps making the word ‘cool’ when he is clearly typing ‘book.’ I don’t know. But no one has said a word to him since he sat down.

There are two guys sitting at the window in front of me. They are engaged in a conversation about the Dallas Mavericks. It’s becoming more obvious to me that that Mark Cuban needs their brainpower, because if they owned the team, they would have figured out a way to bring Carmello Anthony to the nation of Dallas. And then the Mavs would win more. And then…

3 more people just sat down with the big table with the mad couple doing important things on their computers. That makes two separated groups at one table. They are separated because neither acknowledges the other.

There is a guy on talking on his cell phone while he waits for his coffee. This is pretty interesting- whoever he’s talking to must be able to see him somehow (maybe it’s the CIA) because he is talking as much with his hands as he is with his mouth. The person on the other end of the line must also have a hearing problem because this dude is talking very loud… maybe that explains why he’s also using his hands.

Here’s my point:

Everyone is so isolated. No matter where you go, you’ll find a bunch of individuals doing their own thing. When true community is hard to come by, it’s no wonder why so many people are at war- with themselves, with their families, with their jobs, with the world.

I don’t want to be isolated; I don’t want to be closed off. The best I have to offer anyone is my acceptance. My purpose on this world is not to just get through this day unaffected. My purpose is to connect with the people around me. People today are seeking authenticity- they are less concerned with your show, your façade.. people want you to be open about your reality. Be authentic, be real, and connect with people wherever you are.

Now I’m going to go help that old man with his phone.