True connection with friends, family and nature (yup big thing in my world) is the way to a happy heart and a happier you.
I’ve been paying a lot more attention to those around me lately and I see a lot of cell phone, texting and computer use across the board, no matter the age, gender or roles a person plays, and frankly, it shows more and more distraction and dis-connections occurring in our word today.
Here’s the funny thing…. I get it. I too get caught up in technology and how it makes things easier…. Hell, I ordered toilet paper and a current movie (don’t ask) online to be delivered the “same day” recently just to avoid going out… that’s just wrong on many levels – LOL
Thinking back on why I did it? Well at the time, I felt it was making my life easier, allowing me to get more things done, and frankly saving me money. But here’s the truth…. Using technology in this sense did not help at all…. Sure, did it save me money? Probably, but when I took a different look at it I was very upset.
First off, I never left the house to go get the toilet paper and go out to a movie so I deprived myself of breathing in some fresh air, feeling the sun’s rays on my skin and reality is I missed out on connecting to Mother Nature and other people (I hate being a hermit even if it is just going to get toilet paper) – not cool. Also by me taking the “easy” way out I contributed to a lot of yucky things… Like I contributed to stealing away earnings from the actors, producers and everyone else that went into the making of that movie (and before you say who cares it’s just a $15.00 movie and yell at me to get off my high horse… remember this – all those people worked hard to make something for a lot of us to watch and I took a piece of that away – I could go deeper but I let you figure that one out).
Back to the toilet paper… sure it made my life easier, but this time my choice probably did not take away from the guys who made the toilet paper… but I’m sure it took away from some ones hourly wages as they are not needed as much for the stocking of an item, it added to pollution, etc. – ok I’m getting off topic here but I think you get the point of why I feel this way based on my decision… the point being that technology thingy’s, which are “meant” to improve our lives, are in fact doing the opposite sometimes because we spend too much time with them and NOT connecting.
I watch families all the time looking at their cell phones or tablets at the dinner table and NEVER even once look up to ask, “How was your day” or “Tell me about your soccer game” or “How is bobby that kid you can’t stand but you ask because it opens up a conversation between you and your kid” … or even to just say something as simple or as powerful as “I love you”.
We all need to take a minute and realize we need to take back our connections and to make better choices for not only our families but for the human race. If we can do this then we can start controlling our time again consciously, we can put our full attention into conversations with others and maybe even help someone smile a little more because we could see their reaction to what is being said in real time, instead of reading about it via an emoji picture… I know a lot of us have forgotten how to do this (yes even me which is why I’m writing this blog)
We each have the ability to be more present in our lives with those we deal with on a daily basis and with family and loved ones. We should take the time to make the time to actually be present with others more often and I don’t just mean physically… btw My son who is now 20 gave me a big reality adjustment recently. I asked him why he did not read the article I sent him on FB and then why he ignored my text message about the same. His response “Mooooooom, if it’s that important you should come talk to me, tell me about it and then once I read it, we could discuss it right away, but if you send it to me via FB it cannot be that important after all not everything on FB is true… MOM” Hmmm smart kid!
Technology “thingy’s” can be useful as a tool but don’t forget they are just that tools. We are all living here on planet earth, which no matter what your spiritual beliefs are, means we must take the time to interact with others on a personal level more and more (unless of course you want to be a hermit in which case you should contact me because I may be able to help you with that 😊 See your rolling your eyes at that emoji)
Peace out!
