Beware of the iPhone Zombie

Technology now a days is an amazing thing. We have more knowledge than we know what to do with accessible with just a couple clicks. We can stay in touch with distant relatives or friends. We can share thoughts, ideas, and stories.

I find all of this great however as we advance in technology I feel a large lack in personal connections. As we hang out with our friends most of us are on our phones, playing games, texting, scrolling through Instagram, checking our email, or on Facebook posting about how much fun we are having. The problem is we aren't fully in that moment. We have too many distractions now a days between texting and social media sites that our personal relationships are suffering.  I fear that our younger generation will lack some personal skills because of the many other options we have for communication.

Our relationship with ourself is also suffering. Studies show an increase in depression because of social media. We compare our life with what others are posting, compare looks, or are picking up on the overall negative environment. We live in a society where what we eat is snapped or posted on a daily basis. Our personal issues are aired for our 500 closest friends to see. Our intimate relationships suffer because instead of telling our significant other exciting news or calling family we rush to social sites to share it.

Then there is an aspect of Snapchatting, Tinder, and other related sites. Call me old fashioned but I am not a fan of this Tinder, I have to match with you and you match with me stuff. (I'm not even fully sure if that is how the app works.) I also think having conversations via selfie snaps is quite lame.  I miss the times when we weren't surrounded by Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Tinder, when we had to get to know someone by spending time with them not stalking their Facebook page. What about the good days when we couldn't text but had to call our crush terrified that their parent would answer?

Speaking of texting, it can be convenient for a quick message but when we use it to have conversations I feel that we are missing something very important in our personal relationships. Why not call to see how someones day was or wait till you see them next to ask what they've been up to? I don't know about you but I am tired of texting. It can turn into a constant all day thing. When I step back from texting or using my phone, people have asked me "are you ok, you haven't texted in a while." Sometimes they think I am mad at them for not texting them daily or answering back right away. When did we start this sudden need to be in constant contact? I love my friends and family and enjoy staying connected but I also value my own time and want to become more in tuned with the present moment.

Don't get me wrong, I am guilty of using my phone too much. I enjoy sharing photos on the web and hearing about what my family and friends are up to. I like staying in touch with friends that are across the world. That being said my goal is to step back and connect with the real world.  Think about all the time you would have if you spent less time staring at a screen?

Since I am ironically posting this on the web you are likely reading this from Facebook or on your phone. I challenge you to reconnect with the world.  Put the phone down and enjoy the moment you are in with the people around you.

Be Kind

I recently saw a photo that perfectly sums up something I have been thinking about a lot lately. The photo said. "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always."

During our day to day routine we encounter a lot of people. People we know nothing about. They could be fighting a disease, a divorce, financial issues, abuse, or recently lost a loved one. The more I get to know people at places such as yoga class or the gym, the more I learn about the tribulations they are facing. I am amazed to find out what some people are going through.  

Here are couple quick examples of people fighting a battle of their own.

There is a guy that I say hi to at the gym. I would see him everyday. He's a very friendly guy that never leaves his smile at home. All of a sudden I hadn't seen him in a while. When he returned back I joked with him and said "where have you been slacker"? We laughed and he joked back with me. Later that day I found out that he has stomach cancer. I since have talked to him about it. His spirit and positivity is remarkable! 

Last summer I saw a middle aged man at the bar heavily intoxicated, by himself.  Quick judgement may say he’s a drunk. But after talking to him I found out he had just lost his young daughter. (His friend was on his way to get him home safely.) Im not condoning drinking to solve your problems but I was understanding of the reason for his actions. 

These are people you may meet during the whirlwind of your day. These are strangers that could use kindness in their life. They are just a couple stories about people faced with difficult obstacles. Unfortunately we all know great people suffering from great adversity. 

The more people I meet in life and the more experience I gain, the more I understand the importance of offering kindness to all. You never know how much a kind act can change someone's day or even outlook on life. Something as little as a smile or compliment can go a long way. 

Remember, we do not know what battles people are fighting. We should be kind and understanding to one another even if they are rude to us first. Often times they are the ones that need it most.