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09 August 2012

Catch

Playing catch is very much like skipping stones. Both take a certain level of coordination, but when learned, can be done with relatively little conscious thought. This leaves one's mind free to connect with something else. In the case of skipping stones, one can connect with one's self. (I'm picturing myself, a boy, standing on the bank of the Cannon River, throwing rocks at the leaves and logs floating down the river). In the case of playing catch, one can connect with his partner. And only his partner. I would think it rather difficult to carry on a round of catch while deeply connecting with someone else on the side. Playing catch requires the attentiveness of both persons toward each other. There is an automatic leveling of skill to accommodate the other. A verbal conversation may be enjoyed...or the pair could play for a long stretch without saying a word, leaving only non-verbal cues and body language to communicate.

This is very much unlike the activity of tapping away on a mobile device--where one tries, but is less successful in, connecting with multiple people at once. One might contact many others, but how strong is the connection? I fully respect that not all connections need to be that strong, and, as I've mentioned before, I've personally embraced many aspects of mobile communication and social media. But I hope things like playing catch--where real human contact and connections are made--never go out of style. So much is learned non-verbally, that we mustn't forget to allow time for those eye to eye contact. Throwing a ball. Catching and releasing the experience of companionship again and again and again.

2 comments:

Lynn Baumert said...

A wonderful moment, with commentary that is spot on. We need to preserve those one-on-one moments that engage both "players."

Lynn Baumert said...

Glad to see more frequent comments. Your observations certainly are worth sharing.