Is there Really no time?

I have been wondering for quite some time now. Is there really no time? In the midst of things that supposedly matter, haven't we a spare minute to say a "Hello"? In a time when distances decrease with the latest in technology, is sending a mail asking for too much? Makes me think how people managed in the past when snail mail used to take 10 days and more to arrive. When there was no such thing as telephones. When telegrams were the only way to urgently notify near and dear ones. People were so much closer than they are now. An e-mail would take a minute to be sent and received. But who has the time? We'd rather send forwards than take the time to write a few words. How heartless have we grown? And why?

There was a time when to make a long distance call one had to go to a telephone booth. Same for national calling. People had to stand in queues while they waited for their turn. And the calls had to be brief. They cost a hell of a lot. These days even 7 year olds have a cell-phone to call their own. What with pre-activated national and international calling, they have the world at the click of their fingers.

Maybe it isn't all about having the time and has more to do with the intentions. The emphasis these days isn't on nurturing relationships but more on achieving things. Which is a sad state of affairs according to me.

No matter how busy the individual, and irrespective of what he/she does, there is always time to touch base. Always. Any excuse to not do so is flimsy in my books. Outright unconvincing.

Well to each his own. If you can't spare a moment for an individual who matters to you- a friend or a relative, then it speaks volumes about how much of an importance you give to these people. But in a way it's good for people at the receiving end of your coldness. They know precisely how much of an importance they had in your life and wouldn't waste any more time in your fold. One day in the midst of all the past and present achievements, one might just realize( and there is a maybe here too), that finally it wasn't the money and position that really mattered and accounted for an individual's happiness. And that day, those who mattered would be so far away that even a phone call or a mail won't bring them back. You felt you had it all in the palm of your hand, until you opened your fist to see that the sand has slipped away and you don't even know where.