I was tagged today by Maryanna from over in Hooterville, well not the real Hooterville but the digital correspondent if there is one. The objective of this meme “Who is part of my life?” is to promote the idea of how we can touch one another in small and great ways I suppose, and I was or course honored to be selected by Maryanna. So, here goes with the Phil Butler rendition of touching episodes from the Web.

Of Love, Hate and Imminent Indifference
We have all expounded on the relationship between the real and digital parts of our lives, and I think in the end we will realize that there is so little actual difference between the realms. We have all been touched by the technology, the data and most profoundly by the people resident here with us. One thing we all share here and in the physical world are dreams. Being touched by another regardless of the footing we rest ourselves on can be profound indeed, perhaps William Butler Yeats said it best:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Love
So here we are, residents of Earth still, our hearts protracted upon a seemingly endless string of data, images and text. As for love, it is profoundly evident to me that nowhere could this treasured feeling be more real, as I discovered the indiscoverable - pure and true love - extended from writings and other sharing into the actual proximate realm of physical togetherness. Besides this most paramount discovery, there lay innumerable friendships of a less impactful but still profoundly rewarding feelings and emotions.

Hate
At the other end of the spectrum resides a range of far less rewarding and actually painful intercourses from which none of us are immune. Hate is a strong word for me, but we all encounter evil of one sort or another no matter where we venture, so people touching us negatively is something of a foregone conclusion anywhere. Here too we touch one another, but I know we all effort avoiding these experiences. I suppose it has to be part of life though, however disconcerting, we are touched in this way too.

Indifference
Finally, and perhaps as profoundly, all of us waver in between the relative passions of love and hate - sometimes into a place where literally nothing exists. Indifference may be the greatest blight of mankind in the end. Who can fathom what malady transports us to such a mundane and empty state of mind as to simply not care? Being touched in this way is like feeling the cold stare of a predator and not even fearing or reacting. This place, above all, seems the less humane of these three spiritual or emotional states. Yet some encounters leave our hearts at the door and our minds numb to all feeling.

Who Is Part Of My Life?
The good news is that we are all so very significant to each other. Though this fact is not always acted out properly, it is still undeniable. From being touched on the shoulder by Maryanna, simply chatting with friends or amazingly - receiving the ultimate gift of true love - people share our lives.

These dreams are all we have, and none can be achieved without the delicate touch or strong supporting hands of others. Everyone I meet is part of my life, I am glad for the opportunity to sometimes be a good part of someone else’s, however minuscule my contribution may be. Let’s share dreams sometime - they are amazing.

If You Can Read This - You Got Tagged! (Yeah that means you must be touching)

Steve

Alina

Ilker