The mind unplugged

My seven-year-old daughter asked me a question the other day that really got me thinking. “Mommy, are all grown ups required to have cell phones?” Naturally, I giggled to myself. But I was left wondering what impression I was giving my daughter about values, priorities, and what it means to be human. What message am I giving her when my face is buried in my computer, my iPad, or my smart phone? What is she learning about how to relate when I’m answering her questions, distracted and half immersed in technology?

We are all aware of the distraction that technology brings and yet we laugh it off with a chuckle because it’s so pervasive. But how often do we stop and ask ourselves, is this really good for us? Is this good for those whom we relate with, our productivity, or our souls?

I realized it had been a while since I snuggled my daughter fully, or since we laid in the grass together, getting lost in the wonderland that she exists in. My daughter suddenly looked different to me, so many characteristics in her face that I had somehow missed. How could I have missed the freckles on her nose, her new teeth growing in, and the flecks of gold in her eyes? More importantly, I realized I had been taking for granted her kind heart, her inquisitive mind, and her silliness. How could I let that pass by me?

We’re missing out on life by continuing to exist in this strange made up world that technology brings. Many of us create our identities to fit the image of who and what we want to be. Instead of living fully and authentically, social media provides us with a false sense of satisfaction as we hide behind our computer screens, often with brokenness and a whole world of unused potential.

We have forgotten how to be with ourselves. We feel a compulsion to fill every moment of space with some sort of activity. We fill our days with stuff to do and when we're not "doing", we're mindlessly checking out with our precious screens, or we're running our brains about the past and future. It's rarely now.

Everything is one click away. We have tiny computers in our pockets that provide instant access to information about anything in the world. We have access to more knowledge than ever before, and yet we’re yearning for wisdom. What is knowledge without wisdom? What’s wrong with this picture?

Our fast paced lifestyles, our progress, is hurting us. I'm not saying progress is bad or that technology is bad, I'm saying that they shouldn't be at the expense of what truly matters to us. I'm suggesting that our quality of life would greatly improve with a little more simplicity and connection, and I'm urging you to stop for a moment and take it all in. I know for me, I could live without a “device” for a long time if I needed to, but I would be lost without my family, the sunshine, my health, or my best friends.

I challenge you to unplug yourself. Experiment leaving your home without a cell phone, create a screen free day for you and your family, go outside, walk barefoot, feel the sun, BREATHE. Try it on, see how you feel. The results may surprise you!

#Screenfree #Unplug