In search of a statistic that’s tough to wrap your head around? Here you go: According to Verizon Wireless, its customers sent more than 10 billion text messages in the month of June this year. Ten billion. Not 1 billion, but 10 billion. Put it this way: If you sent one text message every second of your life and lived to be 100 years old, you’d send just over 3.1 billion text messages. Pretty scary, isn’t it? Welcome to a world where phone calls are a thing of the past and face-to-face conversations are even further back than that. Welcome to the text era.

In the poll on StressedOutNurses.com this week, we’re asking how many text messages you guys send in the average week. Surprisingly, 40% of you have said “none.” That number is likely to change very soon. Text messaging is playing a role in alert systems on college campuses, causing concern on the roadways, and until a new decision that exclusively bans it, helping to lure big-time athletic recruits to playing fields across the country. The recent, and very popular, Cingular commercial for text messaging that features the phrase “IDK, my BFF Jill” has been viewed over 1 million times on YouTube and has created a group of more than 38,000 followers on Facebook. Still not shaking your head? Text message contests are springing up everywhere, offering prizes that include everything from huge sums of money to breast enhancement surgery. (Seriously, check it out here).

So why is “texting” so popular? It’s quick. It’s easy. And, most importantly, when you are forced to have a difficult conversation or just don’t want to talk to someone, sending a text message is the answer. Going to be late for the big birthday bash? Just text ILBL8 (I’ll be late). Tired of putting up with that new guy you’ve been seeing? Send LD (Later, dude.)  To help those of you who may be resisting the pull of the text, here is our list of 10 common messages that will give you a brief introduction into instant messaging:

1. OMG: Oh my God!
2. BTW: By the way . . .
3. CUL8R: See you later
4. TYVM: Thank you very much
5. WDYT: What do you think?
6. 143: I love you
7. BFF: Best friends forever
8. BM&Y: Between me and you . . .
9. IMHO: In my humble opinion . . .
10. HAND: Have a nice day

Craving more text knowledge? Click here for an extensive guide on understanding text messages. You’ll find everything from A3 (anytime, anywhere, anyplace) to ZZZZ (sleeping or bored.)

Editor’s note: What’s your opinion on text messages? Do you love them or are they slowly contributing to the decline of society. Let your voice be heard by sending an email to mbriddon@hcpro.com.