Disconnecting to reconnect

Connected is a bimonthly magazine published by Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, © 2023. It is distributed without charge to all customers of FTC.

FRED JOHNSON Chief Executive Officer

You may rest assured, there was a carefully crafted exception for those things that are required of me professionally. Except for The Wall Street Journal, my area of disconnect involved all forms of social media, most newscasts — especially the local one — and all other online nonbusiness media. Actually, I even gave up on most weather forecasts. Here lately, the most reliable form of that appears to be waking up, walking outside and looking at the sky. If it's raining, you can safely assume you need an umbrella. Then there is the old standby: Red at night is the sailor’s delight — red at morning, ye sailors take warning. Try it. It works.

During this self-imposed digital exile, I managed to achieve a few noteworthy objectives. First and foremost, I have achieved a blissful state of ignorance regarding anything to do with the Kardashian/Jenner clan. I have no clue what Harry’s and Meghan’s most recent gripe with their family is about. There are no fresh political insults ringing in my ear and, as far as I can tell, I have not yet missed a meal, or had trouble digesting one, due to anything I’ve missed. Speaking of meals, I have also abstained from sweets during this period. Intellectual honesty compels me to note there was a caveat for preserves at breakfast. My daughter judges me for this exception. She will learn later in life not to do that.

Candidly, I note that I am somewhat lighter as a result of this fast, both physically and emotionally. I am well aware that a number of really bad things happened while I was away from my iPad. It is not that those things do not matter. They do. The point is those things were neither the focus of my attention nor a source of distraction preventing me from concentrating on things that really do impact how I spend my energy. I’ve heard it said more than one way that the robber of our time and energy is one of the quietest crooks in the neighborhood. I suspect this is true. It is not always easy to realize just what was taken from you. One thing I know for certain, I am less depressed than normal about much of our society’s concerns, and I feel far more connected to a few things in my life that really do matter the most. I think I will try to remember this lesson. 

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Randy Wright, President Flat Rock Exchange

Garry Smith, Vice President Fyffe Exchange

Danny R. Richey, Secretary Geraldine Exchange

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On the Cover: Eric Dudash relies on his service dog, Phantom, as he speaks to groups about the struggles he faced. His work earned him the Alabama Veteran of the Year award. See story Page 8.