To text or not to text. That is the question!

 To text or not to text. That is the question!

Like you, I have a very busy lifestyle which requires multitasking. Consequently, like you, I look to technology to alleviate the burdens of the day. Cellular telephones have definitely helped us communicate easier and faster.  Cell phones are now an integral part of our daily lives and for many, the main form of communication over house phones, or letter writing.  Instant communication is a universal reality.  In fact, I often wonder how we managed before the age of electronic devices.

Some would argue that we did just fine before and that instant communications and instant responses is over rated and often harmful. Maybe so.

It used to be that you had to wait until someone arrived home, or to the office before you could speak with them. If the line was busy you had to keep trying until the line was free.  Not anymore! You can now get a hold of a person regardless of where they are in the world….in seconds.

 So maybe it is too much…after all, in most cases, there is nothing wrong with having to wait. Not all matters deal with life or death issues and often the wait serves to help cool anger.  Sometimes having to wait before you can vent helps determine whether what we thought had to be said no matter what – becomes less important – sometimes after a little time to think things through and we decide not to say what had appeared so critical before.

Now we get to texting and the lost art of letter of letter writing.  People now text their ideas instantly and expect instant response.  Texting has become the universal transmitter of ideas and photographs.

Over the years, I have written many letters that were never sent. That little bit of cooling off time was good whenever the words were too caustic or anger filled.  Today, If you have the need to get something off your chest, you can do so instantly and the message is received in seconds.  Maybe this is all too quick!

I am not advocating that we stop using cell phones or text messaging.  That would be utterly ridiculous on my part.  But, I do think that we need to be less instantaneous, think things through before you click send.  It might save a friendship or a relationship if cool heads are permitted to prevail. To text or not to text, that is the question.

Just think about it…

I am Martin E. Regan, Jr. and these are my personal thoughts…