Connecting with the Depth of Our Humanity

Sep 14

September’s angel card practice began with the Depth card. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on the depth of our humanity.

How do we connect with what makes us human in our hyper-digital world?

Last week, several top news outlets shared a former Anthropic researcher’s deep concerns about the acceleration of AI. He said that if we don’t slow down, we could face serious repercussions that will be out of our control.

Our world has changed drastically in such a short period of time in the scope of human history, and it’s overwhelming.

A hundred years ago, televisions were just being developed. Today, nearly every home appliance is “smart”, we can automate days’ worth of work with AI, and pour our hearts out in conversation with robots.

It’s harder than ever to be present and connect with what really makes us human.

According to research from UC Berkeley, it takes most people between 8 and 25 minutes to fully regain focus after an interruption.

In the digital attention economy, companies will do whatever they can to captivate us.

And what captivates our attention most? Fear.

Evolutionarily, fear keeps us alive by triggering a rush of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine so we can react quickly when we’re in danger.

Online, fear serves a different role. Research shows that social media users are exposed to harmful content within seconds. The instincts we developed to keep ourselves alive are now being used to keep us perpetually online.

It’s one reason why many of us are constantly stressed. These triggers increase our blood pressure and inhibit our ability to concentrate, make decisions, and regulate our emotions.

If you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, there’s nothing wrong with you. We didn’t evolve to be endlessly stimulated.

Releasing the stress most of us are subjected to every day takes time.

While we have to use digital tools to be part of the modern world, that doesn’t mean we can’t connect more deeply with our humanity.

What’s more human than feeling the sensation of your breath?

What’s more human than holding the hand of someone you love?

What’s more human than being in awe of nature?

Being present is one of the most deeply human things we can do.

What do you feel? What do you smell? What do you taste? What do you hear? What do you see?

Name it, take it in, and breathe.

It’s enough to just be here now.

Connecting with the Depth of Our Humanity

Recommended Reading

September 2026 Angel Card Pull – Depth, Clarity, and Communication