Recently I have found myself taking a lot of pictures and videos of Ella. As any new father or mother would agree, this is not a bad habit. But I have been thinking a lot about why I am taking these pictures and videos. I tell myself that I take these videos and photos so that I have a record of these cute developmental milestones in the future. While this motive is pure and honorable, when I take these photos and videos I wonder to myself if I am missing a moment by trying to preserve a moment. Am I watching these moments through my own eyes or am I watching these moments through the lens of my iPhone 6s Plus's 12-megapixel rear-facing camera?
We watched this video in class today. It has a powerful message and challenge for each one of us. Do you think you are seeing the world and what it has to offer through your own eyes or through the screen of a phone? Are you so afraid of missing out on the next big meme or Facebook announcement that you miss the person walking by you that could have literally changed your life?
I am not going to stop taking videos and pictures of Ella. I want to preserve those memories. However, I do want to be able to say that I witnessed my daughter's life through my own eyes and not through my own screen. There are too many opportunities staring us in the face that we miss because we are staring at our own faces through the reflection of a phone screen. I want more out of life than likes and sore thumbs.
It is time to look up more than we scroll up.
I think we can all make a commitment to take at least an hour of our day to put our phones down (to put down any media for that matter) and do something to reinvigorate our relationships with those standing right in front of us.
I challenge you to take the time to look up today.
Leave a comment with your acceptance of the challenge and any thoughts you might have to go along with your acceptance.
I can't tell you many times I've thought this same thing! Challenge accepted!! :)
ReplyDeleteI too am always taking pictures and videos. I love having documentation of fun times and good memories. But I also want to make sure that I am experiencing life through my own eyes and not through a screen. I will definitely work on having a better balance!
ReplyDeleteAfter that lecture on cell phone usage, I noticed a lot more people looking down at their cell phones while I was walking from class to work. I never noticed before how many people were looking down. Granted I did still see a lot of people looking up and talking, but in less than 2 minutes I saw about 4-6 looking down at their phones. It was a good realization of how important it is to be a part of the world and notice what's around us rather than missing out.
ReplyDeleteChallenge accepted! After the lecture on Monday in class, I decided that whenever I was walking somewhere, I would put my phone in my pocket or my bag so that I could notice the faces of people walking by instead of staring down at my phone screen.
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