Read me through before you get upset......

Well..... here goes. Wasn't sure if I should post such a topic. You know, there are some things that should just remain silent, kept to ourselves.  It's a sensitive topic, one in which I've thought long and hard about. And one that I may need to remind myself of, if I happen to get addicted to it. I've got to be careful, or I could eat my own words.  Try as I might, I hope I don't fall into this dangerous habit that has afflicted millions world-wide.  I pray that my children will not get caught up in it when they are older, although I know that the influence of the media, friends and peer pressure will remain high, and could alter their decision making, and ability to lead productive lives.  Enter..... the SMART PHONE.  That darned piece of electronical technology that is driving me C R A Z Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And just in case you're wondering..... I certainly DO believe everything I just wrote in that previous paragraph.  And I worry for myself, that I might fall into the trap of this fast paced world in which we live, that has made us feel like we need to be updated on every little thing in a moment's notice, or faster, or that we can't wait for an answer to a question, but that we need to have it now or never.  

(Let me just say here and now, to all my friends and family who have smart phones.... I still love you, phone or no.  None of this is directed to any one person. Plus, I think very highly of you all, you're much 'smarter' than I am)

Okay, so it's obvious I'm not anti "new" technology, or "new" stuff. I'm on facebook, I have a blog. I do the books for my husband's electrical contracting company using sophisticated software on  a computer, and I DO have a cell phone, albeit a piece of junk that constantly dies, with the bare minimum internet access that makes it so not worth even using. However, I am glad I do have one, for emergencies, and that kind of thing.  I don't have a GPS in my car, but have many friends that say I should get one, that they really are awesome.  I'm not against that either, I just don't have one.  But is my life any less functionable without it? Without a Smart Phone? I still get by.  Just a decade ago, these things were either unheard of, or were in the baby steps of mortality.  And look where we are now?  Well, I can tell you where we are, most of us anyway.... WITH OUR HEADS DOWN STARING AT OUR PHONE.  (I know someone who sleeps with their Droid underneath their pillow every night....now tell me, if that isn't dedication, I don't know what is). (oh, and I should mention, it's NOT my husband).

I know that we are a very blessed generation to have such technology at our fingertips, LITERALLY.  It is an amazing thing to be able to scan a product at a store, with your phone, to see if it is sold elsewhere for cheaper. Wow, who would have thought?  Not me, certainly.  And I realize that the world we now live in demands us to be more accessible to our families because of the dangers of society.  It is very much a different world now, than it was when even I was a child.  I get all that, I do. I also want to state that I'm not saying Smart Phones are EVIL.  I know they are amazing devices used for much good. I know plenty of contractors, where it is an amazing tool to have to run their business, and what a blessing that is. It would be like saying computers are evil just because of the access of pornography, or that television, period, is corrupt, because of some pretty nasty shows that are out there. But there is this thing called the remote control and parent lock, and self discipline.  The benefits of the Smart Phone, the computer and television, far out way the cons. I am not against any of them. 

So what's my beef with the Smart Phone?  Well, like I said earlier, I realize I could very well fall into the love affair with these phones if I'm not careful myself. But I suppose that is when I should reflect and make sure I know my limits.

So here goes............... 

*  there was a time when the dinner table was for eating dinner as a family, and engaging in conversation with your loved ones, instead of listening to uninvited guests blaring out of that little black rectangle.

*  it used to be that when someone wanted to talk to you face to face, or was just trying to have a conversation with you, that you actually looked like you were listening while you were manipulating the phone.

*  it seems to me that if you have lived in your place of residence for years, and know all the restaurants on the back of your hand, that you could just figure out where to go without making everyone "shush" in the car while you spoke into your phone and asked "Restaurants in....." and waited for a response.

*  why do I need to get the GPS woman to speak to me on what the best route back to my home is, FROM a place I've traveled for years?  I'm pretty sure none of the roads have been demolished and new routes put in place.

Yes, yes, yes.... .these things are cool.  And I hear these particular phones come with a bazillion apps.  You name it, you can have it.  Cool, I suppose.  But not for everyone I guess.  I know someone in particular, that wonders why it's just simply not a big deal to me.  Will there be a time in our world when we will HAVE to be dependent on such devices to even just barely get along or make it in life? I certainly hope  not.  I understand that to a certain point, we need to be current on what is available and up to speed on everything that is offered, especially if we want to compete in the market place, to simply be able to progress with work, etc... etc.... I truly do get all that.  

But I am a child that grew up in the era of watching Little House On The Prairie every Monday night at 8 p.m.  Oh how I loved that series.  I think the reason I loved watching it, and still do to this day, is because it was a simple life. Not simple physically for them, but socially.  Life seemed much slower paced, content with what they had, and family was important, it was everything, as well as hard work.  I think they came with a lot more patience too.

I can hear some of you now, thinking that I'm insinuating that we are not family oriented, that we are not content with what we have.  Well, I'll be honest, I think that is true for many people in the world today.  I, myself, need to be reminded of the treasures that I have, to not take them for granted, and am always needing to learn to be content with what I have.  But what I HAVE noticed, is that something as small as a rectangular device that we hold in the palm of our hand can take too much attention away to what is staring at us in the face, and we'll only know who/what they are when we're looking UP.

p.s.  please forward this post to me if I become a smart phone geek :-)