I can't help but realize that most people are looking at their phones out in public and probably no doubt at home also. Events where our children are singing, playing sports, or even playing at the park we have that phone up in our face as we either video record or take pictures and telling social networks where we are and doing or just playing a game or using an app of some sort instead of being in the moment and enjoying the here and now we feel we need to document these moments as if we will lose them forever if we don't. What did people do back before photographs or video cameras? What is that? oh they kept a journal at the end of everyday?
Dear Journal/Diary,
Today we went to a park that we never been to before and the kids really enjoyed it think we will return someday soon. It was at .......
They would write instead of posting it on their walls on the internet for everyone on their friends list (or public depending on the settings they have on their posts and if they "checked in" at a public place which makes their posts publicly viewed on the page of said locations.
Anyway, I am tired of living my life through a tiny phone screen...I feel like I am missing out on life trying to capture it all. Only all these digital pictures/videos end up on social networks instead of having them printed at a photo place or with a photo printer at home...what a waste of time...If I printed all the pictures I have taken over the last 11 years I would have enough pictures to fill hundreds of picture albums if only I had time to get them printed and placed in said picture albums.
Today's way of living is starting to make me realize that I am really missing out on life. More importantly being present in my children's lives and moments of fame (singing programs, and sports events etc.) stuck behind a tiny screen.
I want to challenge the public to put the phones down. No don't leave them at home, just have them to be reached and be able to reach someone if the need arises but don't use it but to call people or answer a call when they call...if you text...those can wait until you are not in a moment where you need to be present...that is the beauty of texts...you can answer whenever you can vs. right away. If it is something urgent then they should of called you instead and will eventually give up on texting you and call you.
Anyway, no apps/games/social media sites/apps etc. just for one week, and only when you are out with your children in public or at home if they are awake and moving around you need to be in the moment and not looking through a small phone screen on it all...
Comment your experience and see how better or worse you feel while being in the moment vs. trying to capture the moments. Write a journal at the end of everyday to document the day's events instead of video taping or taking pictures...after the week is over read these entries and see if you can visualize the said events as if it was a video in front of you. See that isn't that bad of a capture of events in our lives and it exercises our minds. Maybe the cause of Alzheimer's us not exercising our memories enough by relying on technology to capture and keep all these memories for us.
Good luck and enjoy your life for a week and check back here and voice your experience. Thanks!
