technology | The Persistent Platypus

This time of year, Valentine’s, can be a difficult season for many people. Not everyone has someone to share it with and I think it is important that we show love to not just our Valentine, but also the people around us. Remember to act kindly to the people you encounter though the day. Have conversations at the check-out. Smile at the people passing you by. Don’t forget to look around you and notice what is going on. We may all be on our technology but that doesn’t mean the world around us stops. We have a responsibility to interact with the world, not just walk though it. We could very well miss out on showing kindness to someone who needs it.

I challenge you to put down your phone and make a conversation today. It may be awkward at first, but you may discover something as you do it!

Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Taken by the horns and challenged. We cannot let it pass us by as we watch contently from the safety of our couches. We must rise up and take back the adventure. We need to put down our phones, computers, tablets, or whatever else distracts us from living passionately.

Does anyone else find it heart wrenching that there have to be commercials to tell children to go outside and play? My mother made my brother and and I stay outside until the twinkling of the first star could be seen in the sky. We weren’t allowed to play video games for more than a couple hours, so we had to use our imagination to entertain ourselves. I thank my mother and father for making us have to find ways to be entertained. I owe my creativity to them.

Since my husband and I are considering starting a family soon, I worry about what kind of life my children will lead if technology continues to be the main form of entertainment. Yes, I admit that I am addicted to my phone and laptop, hence writing a blog about putting down technology from the comfort of my own technology. But honestly, I don’t want my child to have to have a screen in front of them to be able to have fun. I desire for them to experience life in real time. To touch things. See wonders. Smell the fresh scent of clean air. These are not things they can experiences virtually. They must be lived.

I am going to try to be more conscious about how much time I am devoting to my technology. I do not want to watch videos of others living their adventures. I want to be out living my own.