I was thinking just the other day about phone books. Some of my younger readers may be clueless about what I am referring to. Prior to cell phones being ubiquitous, we had landlines in our homes and in our offices. Right now, I don’t recall when I stopped using a landline in my home, and I don’t think any of my friends have one. Same with my various workspaces: When I was an employee, I don’t recall when I last had a desk phone. Phone books (both the yellow pages and the white pages) used to be in high demand; I can’t recall the last time I saw one. I suspect they are still out there somewhere, but probably only in small numbers and in only certain communities.

Also related is the phone booth. I may be mistaken, but I “think” I recall seeing pay-phones (not in a booth) in some airports, but they certainly are not common. And regardless of what phone you have access to, does anyone ever call the Operator anymore? I was listening to a folk-rock song by Jim Croce on the radio the other day. The song is called “Operator.” It’s a lovely song. I began to feel nostalgic listening to it. Are there any operators currently? I don’t mean customer service agents who work for American Airlines or some hotel. I mean, if I were to dial “0” would I get an operator? Let’s find out: I’ll try it right now on my cell phone. Stay tuned. . .

I got a recording telling me if I needed Emergency Assistance I am to dial 911, for Directory Assistance I am to dial 411, for an international call from the US I am to dial 011, then the country code, then the local phone number, and for customer service I am to dial 611. Then the recording repeated all of that in Spanish.

Now we know.

Other things seemed to have disappeared as well: FAX machines, audio cassettes, camera film, movie rental stores, typewriters, VCRs, paper boys delivering newspapers to homes while riding their bikes.

But that’s technology. What about the human side of things?
I notice when young men go to pick up their dates at their home, the young men no longer go to the door; they send a text message. I notice that when I send a gift to someone (wedding, birthday, etc.,) I almost never receive a thank you card in return and I was astounded recently when I acknowledged four people’s birthdays in the same week and received 3 thank you cards shortly thereafter. But that is not the norm. (Of course, I don’t give gifts for the purpose or expectation that I will receive any sort of acknowledgment, as I believe gifts should be dispensed with no expectation of any kind).

I notice that far more of us are overweight than in the past. I am guessing that wholesome, unprocessed foods are in short supply these days. It even has impacted me. The other day, I was invited to a Buddhist gathering. The gathering included a teaching on Buddhism. At one point the sensei (teacher) started pointing at various individuals present and proclaiming, “You are a Buddha! And you are a Buddha! And so are you! And you!” When he pointed to me and proclaimed I was a Buddha, I couldn’t help but look down at my belly and mumble to myself, “Is it that obvious?!”

Books seem to be turned to less often these days, being replaced by podcasts and blogs. Letter writing seems to be out of vogue, being replaced by text messaging and, occasionally, email. Tattoos used to be uncommon. Today, they are everywhere. The world is indeed changing.

Let me give you some advice for your own self-development. If you want to stand out from the crowd, figure out what everyone else is doing, and stop doing it. Do it differently. Do it in a unique way. In other words:

If you are a young man about to pick up your lady to go out on a date, do not text her when you pull up in front of her house. Get out of the car and knock on her door.

Instead of getting a tattoo, don’t.

Write an occasional letter to someone, stick it in an envelope, put a stamp on it, and mail it. The receiver of your letter will be rather surprised.

Read a book, please! You will greatly improve your mind doing so.

Send a handwritten thank you card, not only when you receive a birthday or wedding gift, but when you receive anything – a meal where the other person picked up the tab, a favor someone gave you, time someone gave to you; there are endless possibilities.

Notice what are considered the normal, common trends of today. Then find a way to buck such norms. You will certainly stand out from the crowd.

People will notice.

Being distinctive can be a good thing.