LIVING A REALITY AND WHOLENESS in Last month, I spoke to the power of creating balance in lifebalance within our everyday activities- work, health, finances, home, career, spirituality, relationships and self/ body; as well as raising consciousness and awareness concerning where your choices and actions are stemming from. I spoke to balancing the nurturing of ourselves, while still trying to manage a family and success in a career; to Creating your balance within your self, your mind and your actions. This month, I consider the impact of technology on our lives and the balance therein. For me, everything I speak to lends itself to knowing and having awareness and consciousness of who you are, what you stand for and living a life that stems from this. A life filled with value, purpose and meaning. Remaining real, authentic, true and present to your world- to the way you show up. Unfortunately, technology has created a real challenge and obstacle in this regard. The “masks” we are programmed to wear from a young age, in terms of not showing our emotions and not expressing how we feel, are increasing in size and frequency. We now have this “online life” and personality that, at times, can be so far removed from the truth; further disconnecting us from our reality and authenticity. How often do you show up on social media without changing state? Without putting on the fake smile and telling everyone how incredible your life is? (Or become consumed by comparing yourself to the “perfect” life of another?) Yes, there is a balance in this, however, where do we draw the line? How can we remove the falsehood of this “online reality” we created and became caught up in?
There is power in living a life of value; of value-driven behaviours and decisions. Real life is value driven, and therefore, life is to be driven in the direction we deem most important; with purpose, relevance and fulfilment. This connection between real life and our values is perhaps the most powerful disincentive for the excessive use of technology. Values, meaning, and relevance give real life its power, and most of what technology offers is devoid of it. Of course, technology has significant benefits in terms of bringing us all closer- communicating and collaborating across the globe. However, as mentioned, it creates a mediated and low-resolution approximation of what life has to offer. We just have to create that balance. Research has discovered that we can spend an average of EIGHT hours per day consumed by technology- social media, internet, TV and the like. This has reportedly doubled over the past five years. So, this means we are “plugged in” over half of our days, potentially disconnected from our present reality - our true world around us - from conversation, nature and movement.
We are in a time now, where we are being asked to step up and SHOW up. We are being called and challenged in our own way, to be and own who and what we are, and to be authentic in this space of pure potential. To stop hiding behind our masks to present what we think others want of us. Why is this so challenging? FEAR. We fear criticism and judgement. We fear rejection and ridicule. We compare and compete. Yet, there is no authenticity and integrity in comparison. Comparison is the thief of joy, as is fear. How often are you driven by image and awareness of how others perceive you, and in this, how often do you lose out in the true and full experience of a moment? Fear limits us. When we remain driven and influenced by the energy of fear, we create more of what we are hiding from, and we create barriers that keep us from achieving our fullest potential. In addition to this, “online” life is not only not real in what we present to the world; but also in the experience. Technology intends to simulate these experiences; however, they remain of a “lower resolution”. Texting or emailing someone is a simple, easy and excellent way to communicate. However, all the other senses we are born with, do not get to experience the moment. We miss the facial expressions and body language, the tonality and emotional expression, the sounds and touch that may go along with the conversation. Sometimes we even misunderstand or lose something of significance in the translation of the written message. Real life and much of the meaning and satisfaction accrued from it comes from our relationships with others. The development of our social lives is essential for our psychological and emotional well-being. Yes, social media is obviously social in nature, yet it limits the richness of human interactions, keeping relationships at a comfortable distance. Our thinking, choices, imagination and actions, as well as our truth, reality and full potential, are being limited by this beautiful, shiny box of technology we find ourselves surrounded by. 38 | JULY 2018
Woman Entrepreneur | Global
