Are you instantly available?
I’ve been watching how my friends and family manage their cell phone and texting time. And, honestly I’m concerned. One thing I’ve always valued is my time. If I’m at work, then it’s work time. If I’m playing, then it’s play time. If I’m sleeping, then it’s sleep time. You get the drift.
I’ve seen my niece text at dinner, while she’s talking to others, and at all hours of the night. Unfortunately, I’ve seen my friends do the same.
At what point, does a person value their own time? I guess, what I mean by value is that if I’m at the movies and I’ve told people. Then don’t call or text me. Or if they do, they know not to expect an instant answer. I want to live in the moment and give the activity I’m doing or the person I’m with 100% of my attention.
I’ve seen where I’m out to lunch, dinner (it doesn’t matter what I’m doing) with a bunch of friends and 99% of the time the phone rings or a text comes through and they’ll answer it. Why? Can’t the person on the phone value your time? Can’t they wait till you finish your conversation or until you’re done for the evening?
Are cell phones bad kids who are seen and heard? People don’t leave tables anymore, I have to hear the conversation of strangers and my friends. Again, I ask why I’m not important enough to gain 100% of the attention of my friend and/or family. Are we training the people around us to not value our time and who were with during dinner with friends or movies with family? Are we saying it’s okay to talk to me anytime during the day, night, or in the bathroom?
All I know is that I value my vacations away from work, my dinners laughing with friends, family game night and my sleep. I give 100% to moment. Maybe that’s because I’ve lived before cell phones were here. Maybe because I’ve learned that in a moment I may be gone and I know when I’m in the great beyond I won’t be answering my cell phone.
Isabella
August 8th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I have a cell phone, but it rarely gets turned on. I only have it on if I am in the car traveling a long distance or on roads where assistance is not readily available. It drives my family crazy. I have only every texted one message and that was to see if my phoned worked. People who live with a cell phone glued to there ear are destinended to miss a lot of life.