Let's face it. If I chucked my phone into a river, it wouldn't do me much good without everyone else drowning theirs too. Or would it?
Most people today (well most of the people I'm surrounded by) can't remember what life was like before all the glorious conveniences of modern technology. Honestly, sometimes it is even hard for me to remember. I mean really, what did my ag teachers do at National Convention when they had to round up 20 students out of the sea of 50,000 blue jackets? Oh that's right- they had to plan more extensively, make sure we had watches on our wrists, and give us meet back places and times. More work? Yes. But not really.
Here is another good example of prehistoric times. Perhaps one of my favorite memories I have is of the kitchen phone. This kitchen phone was as expected- in the kitchen. When any of my friends wanted to call me, they got to talk to my parents first. These calls then proceeded to happen as far away from my parents as the cord could possibly reach- around two corners, in the nook by the playroom. It was a long cord and an extremely important conversation. The best part was, everybody, and I mean everybody, knew that you didn't call people past 9 o' clock. Yes, my friends, this eliminates most of the conversations I currently have through phones AND text messaging.
Honestly, this post is a little pointless. Only because I have no idea how to "solve" this issue. I do wish people communicated with each other now like we use to communicate with each other before cell phones and facebook. However, I am a big part of the problem. I just looked at my phone usage. I have used 29 minutes out of 450.....in 16 days. What!? That's it? My text message usage- let's not get into that. But really the worst is the data I use on my phone's Internet. My bank account is super thankful that I have unlimited texts and unlimited Internet.
This problem sort of reminds me of a problem some friends and I had in college. In college it is almost inevitable that you do a few stupid things. So keep that in mind :) Anyway, I had met some friends through a job I had presenting youth leadership conferences. Over the years, I acquired several really good friends that went to colleges across the US. We would see each other and catch up at conferences about 6 times a year and at trainings. I developed some close relationships with these people even though they were all so far away. For some reason, we all got into this weird/bad habit of only calling each other when we had been drinking. It got to the point where we realized this was not okay. "I care about you. I want to know about what is going on in your life. I want to be able to help you and listen to you. And we both know all these drunk dials are not going to accomplish that." After that conversation happened, that group of friends and I made a conscience effort to communicate with each other in a more meaningful way.
So yes, I am implying that text messages are like drunk dials. I know, maybe a little bit of a stretch. But only because those text messages are just so darn convenient. We hide behind our text messages and little emoticons. Texting is much less riskier and not as uncomfortable as some phone calls could be. Not only that, but when was the last time you misinterpreted a message? Ummm, about 30 minutes ago you say. Believe me, I can relate. I have had many experiences when I got frustrated, got my feelings hurt, or totally missed the boat on something- all over a stupid text that meant something completely different. The fact of the matter is when we send that text it is actually like interrupting someones life. We have no idea what is going on in their life at that current moment but sometimes can just assume they are ignoring us. It makes me super thankful I didn't go through high school texting my friends into the wee hours of the night or during class. I am very thankful that I didn't have practically complete and full access to all my friends 24/7 like we do now.
So is it feasible to live without that technology when everyone else is using it like crazy? What would my life be like if I chucked my cell phone, bought a landline and a good ole answering machine? Did people asks this same question when the telephone was invented?
"Oh Sonny, I remember the good ol' days when if a person wanted you over for supper they'd come knock on your door and invite you over themselves. Now all they have to do is ring you up on the telephone. What is the world coming to these days?"
So do a quick check on your last 5-10 text messages. What if those text messages were phone calls or letters or cards? You might say, that'd mean I just spent an extra hour of my time on something I could do in five minutes. That one question I text them turned into a conversation about that person's troubles that lasted for thirty minutes. Who has time for that nonsense? Hmmm, well I think it is something we need to have time for. That bible verse from Romans that I just texted a friend could have turned into a really cool 5 minute phone conversation, or at the very least a voicemail that would make her smile. That text to my best friend in California telling her that I miss her like crazy might just turn into that skype call we never have. Shoot, if I even made it a priority to call my brother and sisters at least once a week we'd all know each other more. We could then all support each other more.
Even though throwing our phones in the river may not be the best solution to battle the technology woes, it is important to communicate more openly with those in our lives. It might just be worth giving those texting fingers a rest. Being able to text people does make our lives easier but not necessarily better. Your challenge--
How will you be more PRESENT in the lives of those you love?
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