It’s happened silently. No one could have stopped it even if someone had wanted to. When it comes to technology, we’ve found ourselves somewhere between master and slave.
Let’s face it; technology is seductive. We are all better off for it, except for one little problem.
You see it everywhere. Family groups sit together silently, looking down at devices. We’re becoming isolated. It’s completely shifted our culture.
Instead of interweaving our lives through companionship, we sit in immediate proximity to others, but preoccupied with a device. Separate. We’re having separate life experiences in the same moment we share others.
What do older folks remember about their childhoods and what they used to do? How different are young people today?
You guessed it. Devices.
A powerful solution to the lack of engagement is: get your kids out in Nature. That the world is an amazing place and our children need to be turned on about that.
Baby boomers will remember a childhood without computers, or ANY high technology. As a youth back then, a curious mind meant thinking creatively to have fun. We knew every square foot of our neighborhoods and had forts and went on “adventures” as we explored. We made things. We read books.
Television was still new. There were cartoons on after school and on Saturday mornings and nothing was a re-run! Looking back to the pre-technology era of the 1960’s, any kid inside sitting in front of the TV during daylight hours it was because you didn’t feel good.
People had better posture back then too. Everyone walked upright, with eyes on what’s in front of and around them. We waved at friends and neighbors and smiled a greeting.
Today, we’re constantly reminded to put devices down for our own good. Signs along freeways caution us to focus on our driving because “that text can wait”. We’ve all gotten in to such a hurry.
Technology is a tool. And, what does that even mean? Surely it’s not meant to be attached to our mental processes 24/7. Our bodies are organic. Whatever words we use to understand it, the seduction is too effective for us to resist.
We need time “off the grid” to be healthy and happy humans.
How can we keep our organic bodies healthy? What can we do to take care of ourselves and our loved ones? A great start is to be conscious that you need to take time. Get yourself unplugged from time to time. Make it happen. Get out in Nature. Be present with others you are with.
Will history show that a pendulum has been swinging back and forth as humans adjust to technology? Let’s try to remember our humanity as we expand.
Do we have the maturity to control the ongoing influence of our devices? Taking time to uplug is a number one step to responsible device use. Humans need to be human.
Will we forget how to have common, courteous conversations? Or, how to have friendships? Let’s remember that the ones we love are the reason we even push forward. Take the time to be kind.
At the center of the relationship discussion is the need we all have for quiet time alone. Pause. Listen to Nature moving through you.
Our culture is energetically swinging with that pendulum. Our people, especially our children, are caught in these changes in culture.
We help our body’s health by getting out in Nature. Our mind and body both need to unplug from the electrical, digital zone regularly.
Reconnect with loved ones and make time to play.
Then, after regenerating your “organic batteries”, plug in to the grid again.
There is a joy in moderation; living life with balance health. In this time of rapid, ongoing technological expansion, we continue to be somewhere between master and slave.
Take care of each other.