There are so many amazing things that happen in every minute of our daily life. Sometimes we notice those things, sometimes we are too wrapped up in our phone, screen, smart watch, or whatever. Think back to before we had all the access that we have now. Were times easier? Were stress levels less? Were we more engaged in the people and happenings around us? In my opinion I would say YES! Let's ask ourselves if we really need to know who just text me, who just posted their latest dog picture, or anything as immediate as we think we need it. As I say often, humans act on fear. Fear that I might not immediately reply to someone. Fear that I might miss a cool post. Fear of missing out in general. When what we should be afraid of is missing out on the life that is happening right in front of us while our faces are buried in our technology.
Put the phone down, like actually down and away from you. Take the smart watch off for the night when you get home. I know, this is a big ask this day in age (as I type this, someone just text me. My phone is away from me, I heard the buzz and am compelled to look, but I will continue with this blog instead). Leave the devices in a place that you aren't tempted to reach for it at any given moment when you get home after work. The more you separate yourself and delay your responses, the more the people you interact with will understand that you won’t be immediately responding. You will get around to it when you get a chance; a chance that won’t deplete the attention from the here and now. That is the most important thing, the here and now.
Looking up and separating ourselves from the devices will allow us to more fully engage in what amazing things are happening under our own noses. We can look our family in the eye, we can have real conversations about their day, we can play with them, we can ask them how they are really doing. These are the connections that matter more than anything else on any device, ever! Human connection is disintegrating, lost moment by lost moment. I challenge you the next time you are waiting in a checkout line to not get on your device. Look around, you will notice that you look like a crazy person who is attempting to make a human connection; it is truly amazing how we have become slaves to the phone. Take this huge step as we slide into the summer months, put it down, pick up a real life human opportunity.
It can become freeing. It is going to feel like a detox from the immediacy of all the information, but it will allow you to be more in the moment. It will allow you to appreciate those things that are happening around you and more fully engage in who and what is going on that are blessings in your life.
“These moments matter, Just look up.” - Joe Beckman
Get engaged my friends,
KK
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