There were a ton of college graduations this past weekend that you may have missed this gem by Tom Brokaw who gave the commencement speech at the College of William and Mary in my hometown of Williamsburg, VA.  I wasn’t there, but I read one statement he made that I thought was so powerful.  Speaking to young twenty-somethings who are the most technologically connected generation to date, Tom Brokaw said:

“It will do us little to wire the world if we short-circuit the soul.”

I just LOVE that!  Having joined AOL in 1988 at 23 years old right out of college, I dove into the online world without even knowing it.  I embraced what was then revolutionary - e-mail, instant messages and downloading.

Twenty-one years later and I still embrace technology.  We all do.

You and are connecting this very second because of our wired world and for that I’m grateful.  But, there’s a reason I schlep myself on a plane or drive hours to city to share with groups of women live.  Because face-to-face, in person, does something more for the spirit and more for soul than technology ever can.

In person, you can look someone in the eyes and smile.  They can feel acknowledged.

In person, you can give someone a compliment or say thank you.  They can feel appreciated.

In person, you can listen to their story or concern.  They can feel valued.

Technology can facilitate such interactions, but to date, in my opinion, it doesn’t completely replace being there.

So, today, as you interact with co-workers, meet with a client, drive the kids around, or walk up to the cashier, take the opportunity to encourage their spirit, and yours.  With a smile, compliment, thank you, or your listening ear. Doing these actions is a BoMo - bodacious moment.

P.S. - I highly recommend you take a quick read of Tom Brokaw’s entire commencement speech.   It’s quite poignant, moving, and funny.

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