The other morning I placed something inside my microwave and I noticed the appliance was running very slowly. I realized due to the high temperatures we have been experiencing our electric company lowered the power into our homes. July and August are times to try and power down was the request.
I began to remember the days when I was a child and we did not have anywhere near the technology and things requiring power as we do today. Growing up we did not own an airconditioner. My sister and I slept with a fan on a blue hassock positioned at the foot of our bed. As it oscillated she woulld get a breeze and then it was my turn. We think about it now and wonder how we did it. The answer is simple, we didnt know any better.
Back in the old days anything requiring electricity or a battery were tools, they were not ways of life. We had one television and watched what dad had on. We played outside and rode our bikes and sat on the stoop with our parents to cool off on Summer nights. On rainy and cold days we went into each others houses and played real games with boards and dice at tables. We read books and turned pages and actually hand wrote cards and notes. There was one telephone in the entire house and we remembered our friends numbers because there wasn't a " program your contacts into the device" option. I still remember friends numbers of my childhood as i dialed them so many times. These days i can barely remember my own phone number.
I believe the advancement of technology has helped each one of us in many different ways. I suppose every generation will have their iimprovements which make life more convenient and there will then be the "quirks" of technological life. I remind myself to be appreciative of all of the things I have but not get frustrated when they are not working properly. Something like my kindle battery being low when I really wanted to read something NOW should not be a huge deal. I try to remind myself to be happy when things are working well. Bad experiences and days seem to scream so much louder then the moments when everything is running smoothly. If its not as cool as i would like it I remind myself it is far better than being miserably hot. I tend to notice things that arent functioning right when I should be grateful I have them to begin with.
Im glad during the hot summer months I am asked to power down. It nudged me to think of ways i can slow down my own technological life. I have taken all my social media off of my cell phone and kindle fire as a start of my own personal conservation. My cellphone these days is used solely for speaking to people. Im trying hard to avoid texting and constantly pushing buttons when Im out and about but instead choose to enjoy the journey of where I am. I spent so much time in the past telling everyone where I was that I was missing the occasion. My kindle is for reading books where before I was tapping on facebook and while I still enjoy the words with friends and drawing games I find Im doing it less.
I definately believe in a growth mindset and improvement and Im blessed to have many wonderful opportunities thanks to technology but Im learning balance. I no longer want to feel sad when I type something on facebook and I wonder why didnt anyone give me the thumbs up. During these wonderful Summer months Im finding it much more pleasant to get together with real faces and supportive family and friends and enjoy real hugs versus typed X's and O's. On days when I feel lonely I call someone and phone visit. Every Sunday my sister who lives 800 miles away and i chat for at least an hour. No emailing or texting during the week for us. We save it all for that special time.
I have not given up facebook or twitter as i do find them enjoyable and a nice past time. I just monitor the usage differently.
I will be the first to admit, I love being able to see pictures of loved ones out of state which technology provides. I get to Skype so that children that I cannot actually hug and kiss can see me. I have reacquainted with many family members, cousins, old friends...Yes, technology there are many reasons for which I am grateful. I will never completely shut down but for me I am trying to lower the power.
Technology for all that has been I thank you, for all that will be in the future I say YES!! Im simply trying to learn balance and use you more wisely. Thank you for allowing me to share my story as I have met so many other wonderful 50 something friends who are teaching me strength and inspiration on my journey through their life experiences. Together on good days and bad lets use our power wisely and appreciate it!!!!!!! No matter the situation, we are 50 something and together we must make them the best days of our lives.
I began to remember the days when I was a child and we did not have anywhere near the technology and things requiring power as we do today. Growing up we did not own an airconditioner. My sister and I slept with a fan on a blue hassock positioned at the foot of our bed. As it oscillated she woulld get a breeze and then it was my turn. We think about it now and wonder how we did it. The answer is simple, we didnt know any better.
Back in the old days anything requiring electricity or a battery were tools, they were not ways of life. We had one television and watched what dad had on. We played outside and rode our bikes and sat on the stoop with our parents to cool off on Summer nights. On rainy and cold days we went into each others houses and played real games with boards and dice at tables. We read books and turned pages and actually hand wrote cards and notes. There was one telephone in the entire house and we remembered our friends numbers because there wasn't a " program your contacts into the device" option. I still remember friends numbers of my childhood as i dialed them so many times. These days i can barely remember my own phone number.
I believe the advancement of technology has helped each one of us in many different ways. I suppose every generation will have their iimprovements which make life more convenient and there will then be the "quirks" of technological life. I remind myself to be appreciative of all of the things I have but not get frustrated when they are not working properly. Something like my kindle battery being low when I really wanted to read something NOW should not be a huge deal. I try to remind myself to be happy when things are working well. Bad experiences and days seem to scream so much louder then the moments when everything is running smoothly. If its not as cool as i would like it I remind myself it is far better than being miserably hot. I tend to notice things that arent functioning right when I should be grateful I have them to begin with.
Im glad during the hot summer months I am asked to power down. It nudged me to think of ways i can slow down my own technological life. I have taken all my social media off of my cell phone and kindle fire as a start of my own personal conservation. My cellphone these days is used solely for speaking to people. Im trying hard to avoid texting and constantly pushing buttons when Im out and about but instead choose to enjoy the journey of where I am. I spent so much time in the past telling everyone where I was that I was missing the occasion. My kindle is for reading books where before I was tapping on facebook and while I still enjoy the words with friends and drawing games I find Im doing it less.
I definately believe in a growth mindset and improvement and Im blessed to have many wonderful opportunities thanks to technology but Im learning balance. I no longer want to feel sad when I type something on facebook and I wonder why didnt anyone give me the thumbs up. During these wonderful Summer months Im finding it much more pleasant to get together with real faces and supportive family and friends and enjoy real hugs versus typed X's and O's. On days when I feel lonely I call someone and phone visit. Every Sunday my sister who lives 800 miles away and i chat for at least an hour. No emailing or texting during the week for us. We save it all for that special time.
I have not given up facebook or twitter as i do find them enjoyable and a nice past time. I just monitor the usage differently.
I will be the first to admit, I love being able to see pictures of loved ones out of state which technology provides. I get to Skype so that children that I cannot actually hug and kiss can see me. I have reacquainted with many family members, cousins, old friends...Yes, technology there are many reasons for which I am grateful. I will never completely shut down but for me I am trying to lower the power.
Technology for all that has been I thank you, for all that will be in the future I say YES!! Im simply trying to learn balance and use you more wisely. Thank you for allowing me to share my story as I have met so many other wonderful 50 something friends who are teaching me strength and inspiration on my journey through their life experiences. Together on good days and bad lets use our power wisely and appreciate it!!!!!!! No matter the situation, we are 50 something and together we must make them the best days of our lives.
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