I’m trying to unplug from my smartphone and computer…I really am. But it’s hard.
The damned things are addictive.
Like any addiction, it saps energy and time from things that are far more important, like the other people in my life.
I’m not one who thinks technology is totally bad for authentic connection in life. I have embraced it wholeheartedly and enjoyed its benefits. It has put me back in touch with friends from high school and college—enabled me to reach out and encourage many more people than I could have otherwise. But when it begins to take over, to distract me from the real relationships and essential connections right in front of me, it’s time to take corrective action.
This powerful video (under 5 minutes) by Gary Turk captures the message beautifully, and this is the perfect time of year—when we’re likely to be enjoying the company of family and friends we don’t often see—to remember to put the darned smartphone away and look up.
Look up into the eyes of those you love.
Look up to see that precious child or grandchild begging for your attention.
Look up into the sky and behold God’s creation.
Look up and really see your world and your life. Don’t let them pass by unseen because you were looking at your phone.
Have you ever been with someone who seemed to distracted by their phone to engage with you in conversation? Have you ever realized that you were doing that to someone else?
What’s the answer?
How have you maintained balance in your life?
Christmas Spirit: Bring It On!
A group of us had a festive, special, holiday gathering last night. Five people out of nine had their phones on the table and picked them up a few times. One person actually took a phone call. What is so important that you can’t spend two uninterrupted hours with those you care about without looking at and using your phone? All this sort of ruined the festive mood for me.
Thanks for these great thoughts, and the bucket idea too! I really don’t use my phone or computer at the same time as I have conversations with people who are physically in the same space with me. The gadget is put aside, I focus on the person. When I’m talking with someone I love, and they look away at their phone I tend to just stop talking for a while. Sometimes I’ll ask who joined us if it happens a few times. It can change the situation for me and bring us both back into a better connection.
I have a friend who leaves a tin bucket next to her front door. When family/friends come for dinner or a holiday/birthday celebration, she points to the bucket as they arrive. Cell phones are emptied from pockets and purses and left in the bucket until the guest leaves. How cool is that??? 🙂
Wow, that makes a great statement. Thanks so much for sharing this simple but brilliant idea, Pamela!
I love the tin bucket idea!
I had this awakening earlier this year. It started with all the bad news in the feeds. I just couldn’t take it any more. Bad news in the morning, bad news in the evening, bad news all day. It grew until I was tired of opening FB, or any social media, because I realized that’s not where life is. I spend much less time on social media now, this year, than in the last five+ years, and it’s so much better. I might not always be physically with other people, but when I am, I am much more aware of personal face-to-face being so much more important than looking at my device. And I don’t want my face buried in my device when I’m with my grandchildren or loved ones – I don’t want them to remember me for that.
Karen, your experience this year—and your own “unplugging”—actually inspired me to write this piece. As with everything, there is a balance. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experience.