I usually run during lunch and the other day I was especially looking forward to it because it was a beautiful, sunny day. But there was one problem: I forgot my running clothes and was stuck in the office. Fortunately while sitting at my desk sulking and getting grouchy my wife called and in the midst of my whining she suggested that I go for a walk. What a revelation! For some reason, that idea had never occurred to me. What reason?

In between longings for fresh air I had been trying to write headlines for a Turkey Hill FSI when I found a quotation by noted trend spotter, Faith Popcorn. She said, “The trouble in corporate America is that too many people with too much power live in a box (their home), then travel the same road every day to another box (their office).” In predicting human behavior she has recently upgraded the trend she had previously identified as “cocooning” to “uber-cocooning” to signify the increased emphasis on home (box #1). According to her survey, almost 3 in 4 consumers say they spend “a good deal of time at home.” Popcorn says that’s because they “view home as the safe haven from the increasingly threatening outside world.”

How many of us look for inspiration inside a box instead of life itself? Instead of walking outside, I check my live Doppler radar widget. I search for photos online (someone else’s view of the world) rather than go take my own. Instead of walking down the hall to talk to someone, I send an email. It’s easier and faster. Wii Fit has created virtual exercise. And we all know reality TV is far from reality. This all reminds me of an experience I had when we lived in Baltimore. I went to an Eagles preseason game against the Ravens at their new stadium. The state-of-the-art big stadium screens were mesmerizing. So mesmerizing, in fact, that I kept watching the live plays on the big screen instead of looking at the field. I had to keep reminding myself, “You’re here at the game, watch the real players!”

That’s when I decided to break out of the office (box #2) and take my wife’s advice. I took a walk and was amazed by what I saw. Our office is in an old renovated bank in the valley between Capital Hill, where the PA State Capitol is located, and Allison Hill, which happens to be one of Harrisburg’s tougher city neighborhoods. Connecting these two sections of the city (right behind our office) is the State Street Bridge). Also known as Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge, it is a beautiful 1,312-foot arch bridge that spans the railroads tracks, PA Route 230 and Paxton Creek. As you get closer you realize how elaborate it is for a bridge. In fact, it is more like a monument. Two 145-foot tall and 16-foot wide pylons flank the western end of the bridge. The keystone on each arch is a unique carving. I discovered later on Wikipedia (I know, I know but this is the blog not a posting) that each carving is a weapon that was developed during World War I. The bridge is a monument! Although never built, plans included a museum under the western end of the bridge. I’ve lived here almost my whole life and never took the time to notice this amazing work of art right in front or should I say behind me.

I went back in the office refreshed and with renewed energy. Yesterday, if I had been working on a project for the State Street Bridge I probably would have gone to flickr instead of walking two blocks to the bridge itself! So back to my original question, do we have to follow Faith Popcorn’s consumer behavior trend? Is it time we all came out of our cocoons? There’s something to be said for being in and observing the real world outside our boxes even if they are widescreen. I found an Internet campaign that tells us to do the opposite of “uber-cocooning”: Dentyne. Make face time.

“People are spending more and more time online, and less and less time face to face, together,” says Craig Marcus, the executive creative director at McCann Erickson who orchestrated the campaign. “We’re not saying technology is bad. It’s great, but there are still some things it lacks—it can’t replicate what happens when people are in front of each other. Certain things can’t happen online through social networking? All we’re saying is be with other people.” And to reinforce this, the site is set to log you off the website after 3 minutes.

So, I think I’ve spent enough time online now. I’m going to skip my weather widget and step outside. I encourage you to do the same. There’s a whole world around us that we pass everyday, but don’t really see. You’ll still get your postings and paper done. In fact, it may even give you a fresh perspective. Why didn’t I think of going for a walk? I was stuck in a box. Stuck in my routine. Don’t get stuck. Bono in his new song Unknown Caller tells us to “Restart, reboot yourself, you’re free to go.”

It’s spring. Who knows, maybe the stock market will start coming up like the daffodils my four year old keeps picking.