FINDING BALANCE DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT
JENNIFER RUSSO Dependency on electronics is at an all time high and, as much as we say we know that, do we really understand the toll that it is taking on our relationships, are kids (if we have them), our safety, and our general experiences? For instance, the National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year, and one third of all Americans prefer texting to speaking to people on the phone. What has happened to us, where we can’t even remember a phone number? Why are parents saying goodnight to their kids through an Alexa intercom? Why do people attend concerts when half the time they are watching it through their phone’s camera? Technology is an amazing thing, and no one can deny it offers convenience. As it increases though, it becomes even more important for us to evaluate what is worth more personal interaction and when it is more beneficial to disconnect. I recently attended a conference down in Orlando and decided to go to one of the parks, documenting my visit on Facebook as I made my way through Epcot Center’s World Showcase. My phone died before I could make it through, and the most outstanding thing happened. My experience was actually EXPERIENCED. I realized I was seeing things more, without the distraction of taking photos of every little thing. I watched the fireworks show with new eyes, my actual eyes, and it brought me to tears. Do I have photos of it? No, but I remember every detail of it. I realized in that moment, I need more of that. And trust me, so do you. Sometimes, we need our phones. Sometimes, we need our social media and our Alexa. But sometimes, we need to disconnect and be fully present. At dinner with our loved ones, experiencing new things, saying goodnight to our kids, sitting on a beach, at a show, watching fireworks…try to be there, completely. There is really nothing that compares.
POSE OF THE MONTH: CHILD’S POSE In the spirit of connection and getting back to “home”, child’s pose is a resting pose that helps us to reset. Start with kneeling on the ground, then touch your big toes together and move your knees out just past your hips. Fold forward so that your chest and torso are as close to the floor as possible with your hips pulling back. Reach your hands in front of you on the floor. This pose stretches the hips, back, shoulders and arms and gives us a sense of rest and rejuvenation.
example of the child's pose, Photo Credits: www.wetravel.com
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