Unplugging (January 31st)
January 31 – “Unplugging”: All day today, refuse to use your electronic communication appliances. This means no watching TV (unplug it), no using your cell phone (turn it off) and no talking on your traditional phone (take it off the hook).
It can come as no surprise to most that – at least in the United States (and indeed in most 1st & 2nd world nations), technology is rapidly taking over as the preferred method of interacting with life. There are nearly 115 million households in the U.S. with at least one TV, and the average American watches that TV 31.5 hours each week. Of these households, about 30% of them actually have four or more televisions. There are currently over 195 million active Internet users, and the time spent on social networking sites has increased 277% since last year. Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. have two or more computers. 73% of American households have a gaming device, and in the U.S. Alone, there are more than 223 million cell phone users over the age of 13. The vast majority (57%) of teens view their cell phone as the key to their social life. Texting is also replacing talking – especially among teens. With more than 1 billion text messages sent each day, it is no surprise that 42% of teens say they can text blindfolded.
Hence the real difficulty of living an “unplugged” day, much less an “unplugged” life.
And yet, even though I can definitely relate to the joys and comforts of technological communication, I can also attest to the immense relief that comes when these devices are removed as the primary method of communication in our lives. There is a sense of emPowerment when choosing to disengage from any addictive behavior, even if only for day. And the true Joy of any relationship is rediscovered the moment we re-awaken to the depth of connection that can only come from person-to-person interactions.
Finally, and possible most importantly, one’s immediate surroundings allWays offer far more Wonderment and Meaning than any electronic substitute can provide.
So enJOY your “unplugged” day, and may it be followed by many more – each filled with the true Entertainment that can only come from actively, physically caring for another being.
See You when I see you …
… and until then, Be Now!
Scaughdt
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