..To Really Live at the Moment..

How dependent we have become to gadgets?

I tried to have a good grasped at the start of this article the question that has bothered me the past days. Night before the much needed slumber, I was beneath my comforter flicking my phone screen  while waiting for my limbic system to start doing its job. Unfortunately, it failed that I noticed I was continuously scanning my phone. I rose from bed, distracted of  devaluing my rule of "no screen" at bedtime. I woke up that day and guess what? With phone as my alarm clock. Checking my to-do lists, calendar, the whom-with-who and the endless rants at the start of my day. I felt sick I know there's something wrong. With how I use the gadget. With how I allow social media to intercept with my routines. With how much I allow social media to consume my most valued asset: Time

Coming to duty, I passed by the lobby with patients waiting for their admission, head-down on the phone. I walked past the hallway to ICU only to see a colleague on earphones, head-down on the phone. I was hoping to see a different view in the meeting room that might restore my faith to  humanity. But the moment I opened the door, no one's talking to each other, all heads bent down. I closed the door immediately. Feeling suffocated, I stayed in the hallway and watched people. 

How can I alter a cogent affinity to technology? Is this how languishing the world is? 

I was saddened as I penned down this thoughts for I know the impact seemed to be irreversible. And I'm becoming piece of it.

We were sitting in a coffee shop today and part of that "alteration in patterns" is No-Phone during conversation. We were gathered in circle, mouthwatering cakes served with our choice of coffee and there, looking at each other's wrinkled face while listening and reacting to the one telling the story is a rebreather. Surprisingly, we didn't notice the minutes that turned into hours, the simple connection that carved the night's memories, a breathe of fresh air etched from staring at each other's eyes, and the big zest for life that yes, we can create special connections without gadgets.We went home bagging laughters, full tummy aside (a gross understatement), and hearts lifted  with happiness from authentic conversation.. To really live at the moment is a challenge, but not impossible. 

So tonight, my faith in humanity was restored!

Somehow, part of me is hopeful that there is cure for this great malady and addiction. 

We are special not because we have many followers or our gram has many likes. No dear, your worth is not dependent on that. Your success is not defined by other people's comments. Your strength should not wane the moment someone unfollows you.

You know what living is?

It's going to bed with those old worn big shirt, heart's fluttering not because of the nuisance of wealth, fame and money. 

It's  P E O P L E. 

It's  P U R P O S E.

Afterall, reality is more favorable than the world of filters.

Good night.