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Phones at the Table

I know I've talked about technology in our world before and my resistance to it.  I'm not sure if resistance is the right word because I'm definitely a technology user, no denying that.  Maybe my biggest worry is letting it take over and get in the way of relationships.  I can seriously not explain how annoyed I am when whomever I'm with (especially if we're eating) pulls out their phone.  Especially multiple times.  I literally take deep breaths.  And I keep telling myself it's the way of the world.  But honestly, I don't care, and I'm recognizing Yes, I will have to deal with it, but I don't have to like it.  Ever.

I've lately read so many articles about this; they seem to be popping up everywhere (huff post blog, npr (*see end for why this one resonated in particular), even buzzfeed) so it gets me thinking further...

Where does this come from?  Let me start with a story:

Over Easter I sat down to lunch with my parents and I was trying to help them with something on their phones.
Me:  Ugh.  Why won't this work?
Dad:  Because phones don't work at the table.

Boom.  I hadn't even realized I was doing it.  My biggest pet peeve.  
I pushed away the phones and waited to poke around until we were done eating.

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree???

I grew up in a family where the vast majority of the time, sat down to dinner (with everyone there) at 5:30 every night and if the land line phone rang, it was ignored or answered with annoyance.  It was family time.  
Maybe that's why I get so annoyed?  Maybe I'm searching?

I love being disconnected, even though it's a bit disconcerting at first.  I'm actually really good at disconnecting, which may be an annoyance to some friends.

*I was so annoyed with myself on a disconnected trip, I pulled up my phone and I was completely distracted from what was happening right in front of me with my nephew.  I came so close to completely missing the moment.  I immediately threw down the phone I was angry with myself (and the phone too).

Being in the moment is sometimes hard in this world we live in.  It takes a decision to be in the moment, rather than just being.

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