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Noun: A group of people or things having similar characteristics: “all kinds of music”.
Adjective: Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature: “a kind woman”.

Kind is a word I use a lot. If you have ever sent me a complementary email or have done something nice for me online, I usually will thank you for your kindness. If you say something overly great about me, I may modestly say you are being too kind.

There is a reason I choose this word, specifically. It is because of it’s duality of purpose as both noun and adjective and to encompass both meanings at once.

When a deed is done that is kind, I hope to make such kindness a part of my being as well — to be a person as the same kind of the doer. Its meaning here embodies the word as noun. I also, in the same action, embody the word as an adjective and use it in reply thusly.

Furthermore, from a faith practice perspective, the idea and act of loving-kindness is one that is central to my beliefs.

All of this is to say that I tend to choose the words I use, especially in writing, carefully. If you see me use a word or phrase often, it is likely chosen for its specific meaning.

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“A respected Swiss scientist, Conrad Gessner, might have been the first to raise the alarm about the effects of information overload. In a landmark book, he described how the modern world overwhelmed people with data and that this overabundance was both “confusing and harmful” to the mind. The media now echo his concerns with reports on the unprecedented risks of living in an “always on” digital environment. It’s worth noting that Gessner, for his part, never once used e-mail and was completely ignorant about computers. That’s not because he was a technophobe but because he died in 1565. His warnings referred to the seemingly unmanageable flood of information unleashed by the printing press.” — A history of media technology scares, from the printing press to Facebook. – Slate Magazine

As I read more and more of the discussion around Google Glass (especially: The Google Glass feature no one is talking about — Creative Good ), the more I’m reminded of the anecdote quoted above. Similar discussions were had around the advent of the first telephone, and radio, and television.

As we venture down some of the paths that things like Google Glass may lead, the social nuances and implications that come with this technology will be an oft debated subject.

Yet, is that any different from what we have now? I think not. There is much ongoing discussion of the social implications of the smartphone. We continue to discuss the etiquette of those who never seem to be able to look up from the screen to have a conversation or eat a single meal without snapping a picture of it. Some have even taken it upon themselves to create games designed to enforce appropriate social behavior in their usage.

The only difference we face going forward, if there really is one, is the increasing oneness we will continue to have with technology.

Here’s the thing about meditation, at least by my definition/interpretation. It does not always mean one must sit in lotus position, in front of some incense laden altar to The Buddha, close one’s eyes, and seek the meaning of existence. You can meditate at just about any time or any place. All it takes is the desire to remain silent and try to be fully aware of, and one with, the present moment.

For instance, when was the last time you just sat in a room for five minutes and simply tried to observe it by checking in with all of your senses? For me it was just five minutes ago as I write this.

I laid in bed having just tucked my daughter in to her’s for the night. My wife had gone downstairs to finish cleaning up the kitchen. So, I pulled up my favorite meditation timer on the iPhone, set it for five minutes, put it down on the nightstand, and started. I just laid there. Eyes open. Watching the light and the walls and the wardrobes. Listening to the sounds I heard in the house. Listening to the sounds I could hear outside. I tried to notice each place my body touched the bed and my hands felt my heartbeat as they lay across my chest. I then began to see how many of these things my working brain could realize all at once and not as individual parts as I brought focus on them. Knowing that my subconscious brain did, in fact, process the senses and so much more all at once.

My point being that this was meditation. One could do this in a checkout line or in an office at work. One could decide to take that time and simply be present as opposed to reaching for the closest distraction. The more complicated you believe (or let people tell you) meditation is, the less likely you are to do it. Yet, it is something that can bring true and lasting comfort to your day. Therefore, make it simple.

I’m a writer. Writing is how I make this world better, friendlier, stronger place. If these words improved your day, please let me know by contributing here.