Giving technology the heave-ho

Posted on by WritingfromtheheartwithBrian

I keep threatening to get rid of Facebook, Instagram, and various other social media apps on my smartphone. I open them up and think I’m just going to check on a few posts. When I look up again, I find that I’ve been roaming mindlessly for twenty minutes and can’t tell you a thing about any of the posts or videos that I’ve watched or read.

Where has the time gone?

It’s not just social media. I’ll start scrolling various news sites and I’ll read some of the news coming out of Washington, D.C., especially over the past month, and I’ll boil over with frustration and anger. The news makes me feel helpless. I feel like I’m on a speeding train, racing down the tracks. I know I’m not the only one. Last week, Vicki wrote eloquently in her post “As We Sat Together” about one of her former students experiencing some of the same feelings of loss.

The two experiences have forced me to give some serious thought to becoming a smartphone hermit or recluse. Technology has brought the world closer to everyday folks, more so than anytime in history. Yet, it also weighs on me. Oh, let me be clear: I can’t imagine giving up my phone completely. But, I definitely need more balance in my life. I need to start putting my phone and my laptop down for a book or an honest-to-goodness conversation.

Here’s my challenge. Right when I’m about to put my phone down, I’ll come across a post that reminds me about the good in life. In a strange way, I’ve been reminded that, even in the craziest of times, wisdom is actually all around us. You just have to look for it.

Here’s some of thing things I’ve learned over the past several weeks:

—Keeping a positive outlook. I pulled up to a red light and pushed the play button to a favorite podcast. Right on cue, the speaker instructed, “Now repeat after me: I am about to walk into the greatest year of my life.” From his lips to God’s ear. Yes, yes, yes.

—We’re all imposters in an imposter world. A couple of days later, I was stumbling around on Instagram and found an interview with Actor Bill Nighy. He reminded me that it’s best to take new situations step-by-step and to be gentle with ourselves. As Nighy rightfully pointed out, we’re all imposters.

“Every negative thing I’ve told myself, about myself, over my whole life — every single thing — was a lie. It was a lousy, brutal, cruel lie, that I apparently told myself in order to undermine myself,” Nighy said. “I don’t understand it, you know, the psychology of it, particularly. But I know that none of it was true.”

Billy Nighy on Imposer Syndrome.

—Keeping your battery full. Here’s a saying I found on social media. I can’t think of better advice for myself: “Stop using your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe, create, love, grow, glow, manifest, and heal.”

Hmm, now why didn’t I think of that. 

—Keeping sane until you can let it all hang out. The Facebook group Introverts are Awesome posted a few thoughts on what it means to be introverted. Hmm, I think I agree. “The life of introvert boils down to working up the energy to act like an extrovert, until you can go home and be comfortably introverted.”

Oh, I’ve definitely been there, done that. I can so relate to: “Oh, I’m home now, I can be me again!”

—Wise old men and thoughtful little boys. It’s funny the things you find on social media. Who would have thought I’d find American writer and musician Shel Silverstein? A group I follow posted his famous poem “The Little Boy and the Old Man.” 

The group could’ve posted a million different things. They could’ve posted an anime cartoon. They could’ve posted a funny cat or dog video or even gone old school and posted a Peanuts cartoon. No, they posted a simple piece by Silverstein on the similarities between getting old and being a young kid.

Shel Silverstein’s The Little Boy and Old Man.

—Planning for the long term. I woke up recently in the middle of the night. I turned over to check my phone and, of course, started perusing Threads. A Chinese Proverb jumped out at me like a flashing red light. It couldn’t have been any brighter. “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”

Here’s to thinking about the big picture. 

—Keeping your sense of humor. Oh, life is hard. I wouldn’t suggest partying every night of the week or you’ll find yourself on Dean Wormer’s super secret probation list. But there’s still a place for occasionally letting loose. As National Lampoon’s Animal House points out: You need to find the humor in things.

I have to agree with a Facebook friend who did his best Dean Wormer impersonation and wrote that being “Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”

You said it Dean Wormer. Ha, ha.

In National Lampoon’s Animal House Dean Wormer meets with the Brothers of Delta House.

—The value of good friends. Finally I got a good reminder about the tough times and the importance of remembering where you came from. A friend posted a scene from Cinderella Man about down-on-his luck fighter James J. Braddock. In the middle of the Great Depression, Braddock was at his most desperate. He went into Manhattan to beg the managers and agents of his old boxing club, who once got rich off of Braddock, for a few dollars to help keep his family afloat. 

In the film, Braddock apologizes to his former trainer Joe Gould for embarrassing him. Of course, Gould has his back. “What the hell do you have to be sorry about,” Gould says. 

I’m not sure why the scene touches me so. I’m not sure why it brings tears to my eyes every darn time I watch it, but it does. It reminds me to keep my writing authentic. And it reminds too – that yes, good friends are gold.

Fighter Jimmy Braddock begs for a few dollars to keep his family going during the Great Depression.

—Welcoming me home to home plate. My faith tells me that heaven will be free of pain and suffering. It will be a place of joy, fellowship, and service to God. After seeing the Facebook post below, I’m thinking that there’s more to Heaven than we realize. I’m thinking the angels in Heaven must love a good walk-off Home Run.

The post compares the smiles on hitters who hit walk-off home runs to the smiles of people receiving the go-ahead to pass through the gates of heaven. Oh, what a beautiful dream. Touch ’em all and race to home! You’ll be smiling for days.

Thank you Jesus!

Oh, yes, you never know where you’ll find the wisdom in this crazy world . . . even on the pages of social media. In the end, I know that I need to step away from social media and the news. I need to slow my beating heart.

But I’m reminded that social media isn’t all bad. I just need to keep a balance. What do you think? How do you keep social media in your life without letting it take over your life?

. . . . . . . . .

Check out my personal lifestyle blog at www.writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com to read other pieces by me. In a companion piece today on my blog, I share my dream of being a hermit in a cabin deep in the woods. Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @writingfromtheheartwithbrian.

Thanks for reading.

44 thoughts on “Giving technology the heave-ho”

  1. Pingback: Becoming a hermit – Writing from the Heart with Brian

  2. Beautiful and thoughtful post, Brian. Society as a whole is chained to our devices and social media apps are designed for endless scrolling and consumption. I do think a digital detox is good from time to time but actually being able to do so is another challenge! 😆

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. So much thoughtfulness in one post, Brian. Thank you. I loved the inclusion of Shel Silverstein. So perfect. An opportunity to step away and regain a little balance – all within your post! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. This post is so good, Brian! The good and the bad of social media. You do a great job of curating what is worth sticking around for – the wisdom, the humor, the perspective and the joy!

    Here’s to “Now repeat after me: I am about to walk into the greatest year of my life.” Yep, yep, yep. Love it!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. This is such a great post with all the examples you included! I love the walk off HR and the Silverstein poem (although I hope to avoid not being seen as I age😅). And I totally agree with the social media situation. There’s a lot of rotten stuff about it, but there’s some good too. Really fun and inspiring post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I absolutely love this quote: ““Stop using your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe, create, love, grow, glow, manifest, and heal.” I can use more of that. I downloaded an app called Hallow a few months ago. When I reach for my phone, instead of mindlessly looking at social media, I listen to the Bible in a Year podcast. I’m currently on Day 87! I listen to Daily Reflections. I did an Advent Challenge. Plus there’s prayers and meditation. It looks like you have found a lot of good on social media. There has to be a reason though why the tech execs in Silicon Valley don’t allow their families use it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. This is so good Brian – “Use your energy to believe, create, love, grow, glow, manifest, and heal.” for life is rather short! Keep living the good life and creating positive posts, because I know from your past writings your overloaded with them!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. It’s interesting to read this Brian, as one of the goals I’ve set for February is to do an audit of all my social media with a view to getting rid of some that no longer serve me…or never did. I’m also considering giving up my personal social media for Lent this year. It’s hard not to get sucked into all the negativity and there’s just so much of it these days.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. A few minutes on Facebook most days just to check in with friends. I usually read blogs from some of my favorite bloggers for up to an hour a day as well. Otherwise, I have no interest. Instagram—yawn.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. this is such a thoughtful and helpful post. you are letting yourself be vulnerable and know we won’t judge and feel safe doing so this arena. one nice thing for sure about social media if you find the right place. it’s easy to get sucked into all of it and that happens to me at times. social media the classic double-edged sword and it’s an ongoing battle for balance. I love that you found all of these positive things that spoke to you, and helped you to navigate this . self-reflection and awareness are great steps to making change and finding your sweet spot.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You’re reading my mind Beth. At one point it did hit me: will folks get where I’m going here? Will it make sense? There’s obviously some exceptions but I love that this is a community where you can be vulnerable and as you say, find your sweet spot. Thanks so much, very much appreciated!!🙏🏼🙏🏼😎😎😎😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Cinderella Man is a very underrated film. I’m thankful to have it in my DVD collection.

    “The life of introvert boils down to working up the energy to act like an extrovert, until you can go home and be comfortably introverted.” – love this line! This was me last week at trivia. I was much more outgoing than usual…so much so that Tara turned to me at one point and said, “I thought you were an introvert!”

    Mostly, yes. But I do have my moments…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Great post! I’ve been downsizing my online footprint as well, and reclaiming my life through a return to a more analog state. You wouldn’t mind another cabin deep in the woods on the other side of the mountain, now, would you? 😊

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment