"I feel continually shhh'ed"

from: http://www.cartersgroundswell.com/2012/04/tender.html

I found this picture on Pintrest and fell even more in love with Zooey Deschanel.  The quote reminds me of how we lose our sense of innocence, and wonder when we grow up, then hide behind our status updates.

Children love unconditionally, cry when they are sad, laugh when they are happy, and get excited to share anything and everything that they find wonderful.  Adults do not.  

By the age of 10 we start becoming programmed to hide our awe, quiet our emotions and silence our excitement.   Ever look at a sunset, a flower or tree and feel small, amazed and alive, wanting to share the moment with someone else but when you do they are too busy, too tired or too blind to see the moment? Or maybe you feel too embarrassed to share, thinking "how lame am I?" . These small, missed opportunities to experience life rob us of pure joy and the ability to connect to each other, to source, to God and to LOVE. 

Too much technology is stealing our humanity, and dulling our sense to feeling life. We would rather post our angst on FB than talk about our excitement face to face.

Here is a challenge, it has two parts:

Part one- reduce your technology use by 1 hour today...

Instead, go outside and play with your kids for that hour (if you already play with your kids, do it for one MORE hour), or take a walk...outside, or read a book...a real book not an e-book (it's a different experience). Do some yoga, or just stretch a little bit, go on a nature hike or CALL a friend on the phone (not text or FB).  Write a letter...with a pen and paper, then snail mail it.  Lay in on a blanket in the park and observe the endless sky or a tree. Be still. Breath.  Just do something that doesn't involve technology for 1 hour today.

Part two- Acknowledge that experience... 

How did you feel while walking outside?  Did you meet a neighbor?   

Do you feel energized from playing and laughing with the kids? 

Did you see something beautiful outside? The sky, a tree, an animal?

How did it feel to read a book or write a real letter?  Do your eyes feel better that they were given a break from staring at a screen for an hour?

BONUS part three-

Share it with a friend,  next time you update your status tell the world about that awesome tree you saw, or loan that book to a friend.  It will feel odd at first but in sharing your joy, you may spread joy.

Then do the challenge again tomorrow, or even just a couple days a week.

I promise you will not miss that hour of TV, Pinterest, or Twitter time.  You may even feel happy, energized and loved. Technology does not provide experiences. Be affected by things!

just try it

Happy Living!