Chattanooga Times Free Press

Value your conversati­on in a digital age

- JAY GREESON

What is the most important conversati­on we have each day?

There are several public conversati­ons that are trumpeted. There are national conversati­ons and talking points we can’t avoid.

But let’s embrace the daily talks we all have that are not as significan­t but far more important than all of the background noise we hear.

The connection with family. Understand­ing gained friends. The kindnesses shared among strangers.

All of them are important and more personally meaningful than the mudslingin­g so popular now.

This does not include the random, must-have moments we all must face at times.

If you are nervous about public speaking, that’s OK. If you are not comfortabl­e speaking in groups — something that is extremely common and not accurately addressed by the “imagine them in their underwear” tip from “The Brady Bunch” — then that thought already makes you sweat.

But this is not about groups, stages or the audience. (Underwear notwithsta­nding.)

This conversati­on is more about dialog than questions and answers.

To that end, the “Asking boss for a raise” or “Asking for a first date/engaged” or any of the other big, potentiall­y life-changing questions do not count for this.

Those are certainly important, but, unless you are Elizabeth Taylor, those are nowhere close to daily discussion­s.

(Side question: I am 47 years old, and the Elizabeth Taylor reference made me feel 106. What’s the current punch line for someone who has been married more than a few times? Would “unless you are a member of the Kardashian­s” work? Is a Trump punchline better? Who knows?)

So, let’s talk about the most important daily conversati­on in a world that is becoming more and more about digital and virtual connection­s.

Conversati­ons can come and go for everyone.

I wonder if it is the time you give to a random stranger who pulls up a stool at the Buffalo Wild Wings who rambles through the course of your lunch.

There’s a chance the patient ear aimed at THAT family member (we all have them) at every family gathering could make the cut.

Each of those can be important. We don’t know who needs patience or a random outlet.

My first thought is a daily prayer that allows each us of a moment with our maker.

But that conversati­on is personal.

So the question remains, what is the most important conversati­on of the day? I can’t answer that for you. But I can encourage you to try to find your most important daily conversati­on and make the most of it.

And I can only hope it does not involve Fox or CNN.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreep­ress.com and 423-757-6343.

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