UNPLUG!

I read this blog post via Facebook the other day that led to me reading more of her blogs that were so very good.  The reason it captivated my attention was because the basis of her blog fell right into line with something God has been sharing with my heart.  
The post was brilliant.  It said so many things my heart was screaming.  So many things I had already began to put into practice because being distracted just is NOT working for me.  I had become a bit addicted to seeing what is going on in everyone else's life and it has caused me to miss moments in my own. :( SUPER SAD FACE! :(
In the last six months, I have gotten SO much better about not being "distracted" with social media, however, it is still something that I occasionally catch myself doing!  At times, I have caught myself being zoned-out by the latest Instagram photos, new "pins", emails, Facebook posts, etc.  And just to be honest, I have to remind myself that it's crazy to be thinking about what moment I will share with my "friends" next instead of just enjoying it!  It is a consumer of thought and time, and it is distracting.  It is robbing our children of precious time that we can't get back.
The saddest part is that my kids have learned the art of repeating themselves to get my attention when I am on my phone.  Sometimes I even don't hear what people say at all.  I have even gotten frustrated at my family for interrupting me while I am trying to "concentrate" on things that aren't even as important as my family is to me.  I catch myself pretty quickly these days and snap out of it.  However, I still see something about this "culture" we're in that just isn't working for me anymore.
Like the author of the blog post, I have had moments I wish I could take back, words I wish I didn't say.  I am human. I know this is something most everyone could say, but I feel like God is calling me to make a commitment to change, to get out of the flow of the norm of this plugged in, but unplugged culture.
Yes, technology has it's benefits.  We can learn about any topic we desire within seconds! It's really sad that many people do not know or have forgotten how to have face-to-face interactions with one another.  It's sad that our youth is exposed to this massive "popularity" concept that never ends.  Every moment is shown to the world, because that's just what people do.  I know there is a balance in there somewhere, but it's so easy to get sucked into the obsession of portraying our "best life moments."  I know that many people share their lives this way with people who they don't see often, distant friends and relatives, that is the positive side of these outlets.  There is the aspect that people can be inspired by your faith, love, and kindness that may never experience that in "real" life.  But let's get real, that is not the usual motive.  It's pretty rare actually.  Even though I have streamlined my Facebook to display the positive posters and limit my interactions, I still can spend too much time reading the "good" stuff, and miss out on what matters most in life.  My precious family, my sweet sweet blessings, they deserve my attention more than anyone else on this planet.
I have decided to be VERY intentional about my decision to "unplug".  I know I may miss out and be un-cool and so out of the "know" that I seem a bit awkward, but that's a feeling I'm familiar with already. LOL!  When I read in the Bible, to be "in this world" but not "of this world", I am inspired, challenged, and ready to be a complete WEIRDO!!!
So I have decided to go completely off the grid, get rid of the phone, and put my kids in a bubble.
JUST KIDDING, STOP FREAKING OUT! ;)
No, like I said, there are benefits of the technology age we live in.  I will still use the internet, I will still have a phone, and I will enjoy seeing the lives of distant family and friends.  But I am seeking to find balance, to be present when I am in fellowship with my face-to-face family and friends, and to not let the "social" media "look at me" trend  suck me into it's trap.  My intentions will be first to be present in REAL life and whatever time is leftover, to share it with the people who I don't see everyday.  We have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. who we enjoy watching live life and sharing our lives with via the internet.  I want my motives, beyond that, to be to fellowship with and maybe inspire others.  I know everyone won't agree with me, and I know this is something MY heart is speaking to me, but I'm certain others may struggle with this very issue as well.  There is no reason to condemn or judge either way, but to be present is a present to those around us and most importantly to be present with God is the greatest gift of all.  He is teaching us always, but if we are constantly distracted and getting irritated when he is trying to speak to our hearts, we may be missing out on something that could set us free, heal us, and offer much more peace than acceptance of man ever could.  So the author of the post has gone "hands free", I am calling it "unplugging".  Same concept, choosing to BE HERE, to cause experiences of LOVE with our loved ones, strangers, people who really need a dose of the REAL Jesus......I am committed to this cause.