Should we disconnect or connect to Should we disconnect or connect to find ultimate happiness?find ultimate happiness?

Vital, it is a key element in our lives. Today, with the advancement of technology, individuals are connecting more virtually. It is important to identify which of the two , “real” or “virtual” form of relationships will lead to or give us the ultimate happiness.

Let’s looks at all the sides of these two form of relationships

Real relationship Virtual Relationship

Is where you can actually feel, touch, see one another as they exist and you can experience human richness.

It is not technology dependant but is real.

You can imagine as it may appear or might be imagined.

It revolves around a technology generated environment with the use of computers, telephone/ mobiles.

Any form of relationship which offers us experiences that are open-ended, giving us the opportunity to create whatever box we choose based on what the universe of options has to offer.Real relationships are value driven, i.e. the direction that we take our lives is based on what we deem most important.

Unmediated Life Having direct access to experiences both tidy and messy / good & bad It is an in-person relationship that you will share You are not deceived with what you see Your expressions and emotions becomes more meaningful and richer. It is

real. Your experience is real

Virtual relationship does not mean it is “unreal”. It means it develops in a virtual world.

Individuals take help of platforms like facebook, skype, whatsapp and other forms of social networking sites inorder to fulfil their relationship needs.

Virtual realities can be also termed as real relationships but in a virtual world

One may open up easily as the other person is sitting virtually somewhere. Hearing or seeing is computer or technology mediated. You create a bond which is “virtual” until you decide to meet each other. Expressions that you see or get via a virtual medium may not be real

always as it can easily be controlled. Example. Choice of words carefully used

The whole experience is virtual

Real Virtual

A relation where emotions and expressions are seen and heard

It makes you believe – “seeing is believing”

You accept the reality and then grow into the relationship.

Possible misunderstandings can be corrected immediately

Better conflict management You are thrown into a less stressful

world Convenience You get more space You can open up better to each other

Real Virtual Intruding into one another’s space at

times can become a problem. You need to put in more time. It can becomes stressful at certain

situation. Compromising miniscule free time of

yours into fulfilling need of the other

Identity issues, as individuals may appear as someone who they are not or vice versa.

Less intimate , feelings of closeness and bonding is far reduced in this form of a relationship

Text driven relationship can be exhausting for many with less patience and this can be more conflict arising from it

Projections about the person or a situation can turn out different.

The whole thing become superficial in the cyberspace

Relationships which are virtual can be embraced if it is a supplement or if is for a certain period of time but in the long run it is not ultimately fulfilling in many aspects. It is absolutely fine if it serves merely as a “thing’ to help you stay in touch or to connect you offline and in real.

Real relationships are authentic, intimate and trusting. Relationships are bound to change much more with the fast pace that technology is developing and we must know that it is Real connection, the real relationship that will lead to finding the happiness that we seek.

We should believe that “Screen time cannot substitute human touch”