I figure I better get crackin' on a blog post before my internet goes out again....or before my house explodes. Seriously, everything is going all sorts of crazy around here. All within a few days, our cable went out, our computer got a virus, our internet went out (different company than cable). Then yesterday within an hour of our internet getting fixed we had to call our utility company to come out because of a strong smell of gas (so many jokes there, I know). There was a small leak on our water heater, but in the end the guy seemed to think that the strong smell was coming from outside through an open window. And now after having to spend $500 on new tires this morning we're just waiting for the foundation of our house to crumble. :)
Anywho, enough complaining, but going for days without internet and cable has made me think a lot about my favorite class that I attended at Women's Conference. It was given by Lisa Clark (Nie Nie's sister-in-law) and was on "[Not Letting] Digital Dominate Your Life". It was based on David Bednar's talk "Things as They Really Are". My overall take away was about the irony of how something that is supposed to connect us and bring us closer together is actually pulling us apart. This isn't an entirely new concept, but I think it's an important one. I may be a bit behind with technology, but I'm not exactly in a rush to get all the latest and greatest items out there. My biggest pet peeves are those involving technology....ipods in ears constantly, non-stop texting, talking on cell phones, or looking at your iphone when others are sitting right there with you. I won't even get started with facebook. I'm not saying that I'm completely guilt free of this. I am absolutely obsessed with DVR and just have to watch all 5 gazillion shows that have been recorded. And I am obviously quite addicted to blogging and blog-surfing. When Reese wants to do something naughty she tells me to "go get on the 'puter'". She knows that that's my distracted place. I have LOVED feeling like I'm more involved with friends lives, but at the same time it can take away from real family time. The overuse is what gets us into trouble.
So what I'm trying to figure out is a good balance. Do any of you run into this problem? And what sort of limits have you set for yourself if any? If you tell me I'm the only one, I won't believe you. ;)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Technology Shmeck-shmology
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9 comments:
It's only you!!
Brent and I have talked that technology has made almost everything easier and harder at the same time! We can't believe how far technology has come since we were kids and where will it be when we are older.
I haven't put limits on myself only because I don't have a lot of fun gadgets, but I mostly have time for that kind of stuff after the kids go to bed.
I'm not really sure what I'm saying here, but while technology has made some things in my life easier, it can also be distracting if you let it. I think the best thing we can do is use these things for good, for building up others, building up our families, building up the kindgom of God, without taking away from these same things. If that makes sense.
I used to do an hour limit, but I haven't been as good with that lately as I've gotten more and more addicted to Facebook (I know, I'm sorry). I think after reading this, I will be better about watching my hour. Thanks for inspiring me, Rachel.
something that is supposed to connect us and bring us closer together is actually pulling us apart
I think you hit the nail on the head! I love that technology can keep me connected to really important people in my life (including you. :) But it's almost silly how I feel the need to keep up on people's blogs who I haven't had any contact with since Jr. High, you know? I loved Elder Ballard's talk from a year or two ago about the same thing, specifically to mothers. And I think you're right about balance. I don't have it. There are so many areas of my life that seem out of balance. Something I am constantly working on.
Hey Rachel,
It's funny that you should post this. I've actually been seriously thinking about canceling my Facebook account. When it first started it was fun to re-connect with old friends - but once that initial contact was over - that was all there was really! Sam has already "cut the cord" so to speak....I think I'm about to do the same. As for blogging - it's my biggest connection with far away friends and family so I'll keep it up:-)
BTW - I'm with you and the "constantly connected" crowd. It's ridiculous when you see a family all standing in line at Disneyland and every one of them is plugged into something - anything but one anothers company....so much for enjoying a family outing...together, but far apart.
I'll be watching Oprah tomorrow to see the family who unplugs for 7 days:-) Ahhh the good old days...do I sound about a hundred years old yet?
Ding... ding... ding, Cynthia! I love that talk by Elder Ballard. I actually have "Daughters of God" on my ipod so that if I'm having a bad day I can listen to it and remember that I'm human and so are my babies. My favorite line in the whole talk is, "Water cannot be drawn from an empty well." If you feel that blogging/tv/talking on the phone is your personal down time that is totally fine. As long as you keep it within reason. What that reason is you have to discover for yourself. But you cannot be the best mom you can be if you are not taking care of yourself and having free time, too. (I find I'm a grumpy mommy when I don't get to go running and have me time.)
Sorry, I know that kind of went off the subject. I have found lately that I "decide" to be the abnormal. I refuse to have texting because it drives me crazy when I go to YW and hear this, "click-click-click-click" from texting. It bugs a few of my family memebers that I block it on my phone but I refuse! I also refuse to get on facebook for the same reason. I hear everybody talking about it and they are so willing to tell me I need to be on it. At that point I think, "You cannot tell me what to do, so heck no!" (Am I just a snot or what?)
As far as the DVR and blogging, I'm guilty. I love to watch a show that only takes me 35 minutes instead of an hour. And I love being able to see what my friends are up to. Plus the blog acts as my journal/scrapbook. That's my excuse. But Andy and I catch up on our shows for our cheap date night. We are thinking of getting rid of cable because it's way to freakin' expensive and just watch our shows on hulu.
Now that I've taken up all your space I hope you figure things out and that you feel connected to us, but that you're not taking too much time away from your beautiful girls... and Tom.
While there is absolutly a need to have a line that is drawn when it comes to what/how/why/when we use technology, it can also be a wonderful tool in sharing the gospel. There was a talk (please forgive me I don't remember when or who right now) that discussed how through our blogs and other mediums we are able to reach more people and share the things we believe in all at the same time.
As for myself I do have a facebook account and I have loved being able to keep up with friends and family, however I don't play any of the games on there and I usually just check it when I have an email. I don't own a multitasking phone but I do have an ipod and I LOVE LOVE that I can keep my scriptures, hymns and manuals all in the palm of my hand.
For a while I spent too much time on my computer i.e editing pictures, blogginng, facebook , but about 8 months ago I made a rule that I had to get a certain cleaning task done before I could sit down and now there are many days that I don't use the computer at all. I also stopped doing as many photo shoots because while I LOVE doing it, it was consuming all my time when it came to editing.
I guess I made the choice to cut it all back because I realized that my kids will only be little for a short time and I want to spend more time with them.
I realize this is getting long but I am glad you put it out there and it is a great reminder for me to limit my time.
P.S I LOVE DVR
Hmmm... I'm on the computer a lot, but only a little for social reasons. I'm not addicted to DVR seeing as we don't even have one. My iPod doesn't work and my cell phone is so crappy I don't bother making long calls on it. However, technology or not, I think a balance between "me time" and "kid time" is a constant issue for me. I find that I often let them (aka make them) watch TV so I can get chores done around the house. I feel guilty about too much tube time, but I also feel disgruntled when I have a pig-sty house. I have no answer. It's a constant back and forth. It will probably be that way until they're all in school and too independent for me anymore. Then I'll wish I had their cute little cuddly bodies back again. Life. Sheesh.
Wow, looks like people have a lot to say on this. Our stake pres. had this particular talk emphasized in all our stake's wards-repeatedly. I think it's a much bigger problem than we realize. It all comes down to choices--all the little tiny choices we make each day-they do add up. And it's not just electronics, it can be other things--like exercise like at our house. I'm getting addicted to riding my bike right now and I have to really evaluate my choices daily and where I'm spending my time. Elder Maxwell once said something about how we use our time. He pointed out that time is really the only thing that we have that is truly ours that we can give to God. Therefore, how much more important is it for us to use that time in a way most pleasing to Him? I've thought about that a lot and wonder if I am really giving my time wisely.
I have access to the internet at work so I try to keep off it at home. I agree it is always something on my mind (not letting technology take over our lives). I dont like Farcebook that much and I cant stand it when peeps check their mobiles when we are having a convo ... so rude!
Thanks for the really interesting post.
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