I love this monologue from Secondhand Lions:
“I’m Hub McCann. I’ve fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I’ve seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I’ve won and lost a dozen fortunes, killed many men, and loved only one woman with a passion a flea like you could never begin to understand. That’s who I am.” (Secondhand Lions New Line Cinema)
My introduction may not be quite that impressive! But let me tell you who I am:
I’m Melanie Holt. I have not fought in any World Wars, but I honor and admire those who have. I have never led any men into battle, but I believe in fighting for the positive well-being of self and others, which is a pretty difficult emotional/mental battle in today's world. I have never seen the headwaters of the Nile or obscure native tribes. However, I enjoy the beauty of any river and dabble at fly fishing when time allows. I admire obscure native tribes and sometimes daydream about what it would be like to live among them away from my own busy life. I have never lost a fortune, because I have never earned one. But, it is important to remember that what we each consider to be the greatest fortunes in our lives is very personal. My greatest fortune is my family, which I have had to fiercely fight to preserve. It has been worth the effort. I have never killed anyone, but I have loved others with a passion (that has been magnified as I recently became a grandma). I am a mental health counselor, a teacher, a storyteller, a public speaker, a writer, and a Christian. That’s who I am.
TECHNOLOGY
I am passionate about teaching! One of my favorite topics to teach is wisely managing time spent with technology.
I need to emphasize the fact that I didn’t say my favorite topic is telling people not to use technology. Rather, my favorite topic is doing what we can to use it wisely and find ideas to live life to the fullest!
People who overuse technology (social media, gaming, online interactions, etc.) are not lazy people who lack discipline. Often, the people who overuse technology are people like you and me. In some ways, if you have an addiction to your technology, you can say it is evidence your brain is working as it should. What do I mean by that? Many of the things that happen in the world of technology are on purpose, with the intent to capture your short and long-term attention. The fact that so many people have developed a habit, or even an addiction, to technology isn’t really an accident. There are research articles which offer information to help us understand the specific techniques engineered to please our brains. These techniques release different chemicals in our bodies which may increase anxiety, produce an adrenaline rush, trigger the pleasure centers of the brain, and even have the capacity to impact our bonding capability.
The constant euphoric sounds, vibrant colors, immediate rewards, "likes," "accepted" or "following" notifications, really send a message you are hitting the jackpot! Who doesn’t want to linger in that world of winning? A world where you have a little more control, a little less responsibility, and a little more positive reinforcement than you may experience offline. Of course it is tempting to spend excessive time in the virtual world. Going offline means facing the real world where we cannot delete, edit, create a virtual self, or start over. That can be difficult and may contribute to several different challenges.
Managing media/technology is a gift we give to ourselves. When we manage it well, we reclaim our time, our lives, and our relationships. Use technology to gain information, explore new ideas, and even share things about your real life.
Finally, get busy putting all the great things you have picked up from technology into real life practice!
How? Keep it simple, keep it realistic, and keep it positive.
Here are a few suggestions…more to come in future posts.
1. Create a wise user plan. Share your plan with others so you stay accountable. Include time limits, implement settings, and create technology free zones in your home.
2. Give your technology/phone a time out. Sometimes your phone/technology is taking way too much of your time. Give it a time out! Don’t be afraid to turn your technology off, leave it home, or set notifications for only those who you absolutely need to hear from.
3. Get brave and attempt a technology fast. Designate time you will step away from your technology. Don’t be concerned if you experience a rise in your anxiety, feel more irritable, or feel like something is missing. Those are normal responses as you step away from a habit. If you are patient it passes.
4. It is important you replace your technology/phone time with other activities.
5. Take up a new hobby, spend quality time with other people, do something outside, play a game, play an instrument, go fishing, shoot hoops, sit in the shade, whatever you do make it count.
Using technology wisely can be an effective way to change your life and the lives of others in a positive way. It is up to you! Your technology is nothing more than a blank black screen until you turn it on. You give it power. What will you do with that power? As they say to all great superheroes…use your superpower for good!
Just press on, and remember the power of forward!