One percent communication

I write - I love to reach out and connect and I treasure all the connections that I have made in my life so far. Yet even with a reasonably good power over words, at times I am lost. I frantically search for words to reach out, and have failed miserably at times to convey the sincerity or set  the right tone of conversation. How  do we maintain long distance relationships with our friends in this one cent communication age,where we are literally using only one percent of the tools available to relay our message?

One percent communication is a blessing for an introvert like me - no eye contact, no formal niceties, just hammer the nail straight to point. I like the disguise of hiding behind black and white words, after all written words don't express the quiver in your voice or the sadness in your eyes. There is a comfort in having relationships where you can hide in your shell undetected behind all the emotions. 

In spite of all the favorable points - I find it disconcerting  when I find myself trying to analyze and decipher messages that I receive. A harmless message can be distorted, after all  we are using just one percent of the tools in communication.  It is easier for me to hide behind the words, but at the same time harder to judge the  sincerity of a message. 

Is it sent in good humor or a sarcasm? Is it just casual words typed while you were doing some other chore like driving or talking or cooking? Or is it sincere and emotional? There is no way to gauge the depth of the message, no way to see the expressions or hear the undertones in the voice - the rise, the fall, the whispers, the subtle giveaways that reassure us of the genuine purpose of the message. 

Communication is tough - even when we are utilizing all the tools of communication. We give our 100% when we are in an intimate relationship - making love - we use our bodies, our eyes and at times use words to relay how we feel exactly. Physical contact - hugs, a handshake, a kiss are less likely to miscommunicate than words.Verbal words, with eye contact and body language are again more expressive - and wholesome,but in this world where even our messages are generic - words are typed and not handwritten, how do we detect love? How do we ensure the sincerity?

One percent communication offers an excellent way to keep in touch in this life, where most of connecting takes place in between tasks . Yet we need to bring back warmth of spoken words, the firm handshakes and the eye contacts back into our lives to ensure we don't lose valuable friendships  that misunderstandings caused by the quality of communication has created.