Wait a minute! In a previous blog, didn’t you say to Plug-In? Now we should Un-Plug? What’s up?
Yes, I did. Let me explain.
The Plug-In blog was about finding what disables us from fully engaging with others, surrender it, and be present. This is a continuation of that process, concentrating on a world-wide problem – technology!
These are recent experiences:
• My car was rear-ended, causing $9,000 of damage. The concerned young man asked if I was ok, and then remarked, “I wasn’t texting or anything like that.”
• As I was quoting insurance to a client, her phone rang. “Do you mind if I get that,” she asked? To which I wanted to say, “Not if you don’t mind if I answer the next office phone call and make you, and the customers behind you, wait!”
• Three middle-school aged girls were visiting my home. They sat together on the couch, surfing their phones, not saying a word to each other.
• I did a 21-day fast, giving up social media. I still posted my weekly Life Coaching blog on Facebook and my website, but found myself wanting to check how it was performing. As a business, that may be important to know, but I really wanted the affirmation of how people “liked” what I wrote.
If we are tempted to check our devices throughout the day, keep them in our hand/face at all times, even in the restroom, watching YouTube videos/playing games for constant entertainment, post numerous activities, air our baggage publicly, or fight over our views, we’ve gone too far! We have a much deeper problem we need to address.
I.Am.Guilty!
Join me and un-plug every day. Leave devices and sit outside. Have a conversation with someone and turn the phone off, giving them our full attention. Go for a walk and listen to the birds. Be silent in prayer/meditation for an extended time without notifications, bells or whistles going off. Be intentional about un-plugging and let go of the need to be constantly aware and entertained, and fully engage in all relationships.
How will you unplug today?
Leave a Reply