Technology - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

 Technology - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

You know I feel sort of crazy writing about technology and saying anything negative especially since it is what I'm using right now!

But, as you know, I like to inspire my readers so here it goes....

Technology can be awesome.  It can show you parts of the world you'd never get to see.  It can help you reach out to family and friends and it can give you answers to medical concerns and such.  On the other hand, technology at the same time can be bad.  Bad in the sense in that it seems more and more we are becoming addicted to it.  We look at people addicted to other things, but sometimes I think we have to take a look in the mirror and see that there is an addiction to technology.  Have you noticed that more and more, people cannot put down their phones?  They almost "have" to tweet, check Facebook, send a text, an email.  And, they have to do while driving, at dinner, and yes...even at work.  So much of this is now being done at work that I personally have noticed the trend of really no work happening and more tweeting and texting happening.  For me, who grew up with a work ethic, it's very disturbing.  Not only because of my work ethic, but also because I believe that if I'm getting a paycheck, I should earn it and so should they. I believe we will have to answer for "stealing" company money by not earning it one day.  By not doing what was right.   I have to say if I were the owner or boss at several places, I would have let go several employees by now.  Employees who are more interested in  texting than pitching in and helping others that are swamped would be let go, but perhaps the bosses are too busy doing it as well to notice!  I just don't get it.    I grew up in that if you caught up on your work, you didn't sit idle, you didn't use it to text or check Facebook, you used that time to help your fellow coworker.  You went out and said - can I help you? or you?  We weren't afraid of work and if we all helped each other, the work got done and no one was left behind - everyone pitched in and helped.  Now, people actually hide to be on their phones behind cabinets, doors, etc, and some even do it right there in the open.   This is what I consider the bad of technology...people becoming so addicted that they can't stop using it. They can't sit through a dinner, a movie or even drive without checking something.  How many people have had fatal accidents because of texting while driving.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  What was so important it couldn't wait?  Please people...let it wait!  I promise the world won't end if you don't answer that text while driving.  This is part of the ugly of technology.

Now we come to more of the ugly.  The ugly is where technology gets so involved that family, friends, work suffer and not only that, but so does God.  One of the commandments is that "Thou shalt have no other God before me."  How many people worship their technology instead of God?  And we wonder why things are getting so bad! We've put Him last so he will put us last.  What a shame.  Not only that, but how many children raise themselves why parents just have to be on Facebook or whatever it is that keeps them away from their children? 

Now, imagine if you will, what if for a day - those that are so addicted would just put it all down and put that same effort into their children, their families, and others?  Helping those in need, serving the community in a way, really having family nights of playing games and listening to the children's days, calling parents to check on them, grandparents, extended family.  Actually putting real effort in.

Think about it - is that person tweeting what they ate really that important?  Or the person who just bought a boat and posts it on your Facebook life ending for you?  And yet, I see so many grandparents in nursing homes with no family visiting, no one sending them new clothes to wear and only calls or visits on the major holidays.  What a shame.  There are so many left there - you could even "adopt" a grandparent at a local nursing home and make a difference to them.  They have some awesome stories to tell and really could use someone showing they cared.  But, are tweets, games, Facebook, texts - more important?

Are you addicted?  How often do you have to be on the computer? Your phone? Do you have to check it every time it goes off?  Do you have to see that text and reply right away?  Do you have to be on it every day?  You may be addicted.  Who in your life is suffering because you are not putting 100% into your relationship with them?  Is your life just texts, tweets, Facebook or are you more committed into doing something really important with your life and making a difference?  Who or what are you serving?  Is it technology or God?  Okay, say you aren't a believer - I can't change your mind, but what if I am right on that?  Will He know you?  Will you know Him?  And even if you don't believe - does your family know you or are you just that person passing through their life not making true memories because you are too busy for them and find yourself having to use technology instead?

Let me inspire you to take a step back.  Husbands, just think, if you put more effort into your marriage - how it could blossom.  Wives, same thing.  And what if you both put more effort into your children?  Teaching them the joys of life.  Sitting outside looking into the sky and showing them the amazing stars.  How are they supposed to learn appreciation of things if you aren't showing them that?  If you never stop to smell the roses, then neither will they.  Stop and admire a sunset with them, show them the vast beauty around us.  Lay back and look at the clouds, listen to birds singing.  Children need someone to show them what is around them - why not you?  When is the last time you wrote your spouse a love letter?  Visited an elderly person and listened to their stories and then did something to make their life easier or special?  Take today and unplug.  Try to do it more than you are plugged in.  The world won't end over a text you missed, but you will have people in your world ending around you before you even know it.  No one is guaranteed a tomorrow - not adults nor children.  Stop.  Did you get that?  Today could be the last day you had to connect with someone close to you.  Did you use it wisely?  Or did you squander it on the computer or phone?

Make a difference in lives of others and even your own.  Challenge yourself and depending on how hard it was for you to unplug from all that technology for a day, will tell you just how addicted you were.  Unplug your kids too - I bet they are addicted as well.  But, if you go camping or do something together as a family, there may be complaining and mad faces at first, but then once they've let go of it, they will start to enjoy the fun and serenity and peace that can come with unplugging and not being a slave to technology. 

Remember, things are only bad if abused.  As with all things, moderation is the key.  Start a new day - today!  Good luck!

What Inspires You?

INSPIRATION - WHAT IS YOURS?

What inspires you?  Is it faith? Is it a great shopping trip?  Is it a new product you bought and you just love it?

There are so many things that inspire us and I'd love to hear from you on what inspires you. 

Are you a better cook due to a product you got?  For example, I just bought the silicone covered tongs.  How did I live without them?  From using them in frying to turn things over to stirring spaghetti cooking and also using it as a "grabber" to reach something high on the shelves!  This is one great product!  It inspires me to want to cook more!

In faith, I'm inspired by Reading the Bible in 365 days.  I've made myself a promise to do this - this year.  It is inspirational knowing that I am finding time to be in the word which inspires me to be a better person daily. 

Music - music inspires me, makes me alive - it can inspire happiness, faith and saddness.  I like a lot of things no longer even be played like Walking on Sunshine as a quick pick me up.  I love Christmas carols!

It's your turn now - what inpsires you?  What gets you going? This blog is open to not only inspirational stories which we all love, but also for things you enjoy, like, a great product or book, a wonderful recipe! 

I'd like you to share with me something you enjoy that inspires you - or something that you enjoy!  Drop me a line!

Until next time...

Out With the Old - In With the New!

2012 is almost behind us and I can see we all survived the Myan theories.  2013 is knocking at our doors. 

What will you do in 2013 to be different? better?   What are your resolutions?

We've had a bumpy ride in 2012 - how will 2013 be different?  As we near the new year and the fiscal cliff hangs over our heads or should I say as we stand on the edge ready to fall over, what will 2013 bring? 

Why not start off 2013 with a resolution to make this a year where a difference is made.  Start a charity, help the homeless, become a volunteer, spend more time with family - just to name a few. As we see the years fly by - what do we do to make a difference in someone's life?  When our time is done, how will we be remembered? 

So many folks are caught up in jobs, family suffers.  Then there are those that finish working, only to come home and be engaged back in electronics, tv, games or whatever that family still suffers.  We buy so many toys, games, etc that children do not even know what to play with.

Let me take you down memory lane...for those of you who are older and for those of you who are not - - read on - you'll experience something here...

There was a time when presents were just for Christmas and maybe birthday.  We waited all year to get those special items.  And, when we got them, it may be one - three items.  It wasn't a lot.  And we cherish these items so much.  We finally waited until Christmas.  We were good girls and boys and we were rewarded and it was great!  That one wonderful gift.  You'd play with it all year long.  Still might even have it to this day.  Now days, children are receiving so much - what is cherished?  Will the hold onto any memories and toys like we did?  I doubt it.  Why?  because it is a constant flow of things into their lives.  After a while, when is enough enough?  We learned the value of a dollar because things were not so freely handed.  And imagine - how much they would have in a savings account if only they were not bought all the expensive items and it were put away for their future?  Do they really need all of the things we give them?  No.  Put a child in the middle of the floor with all the high tech fancy toys and put a cardboard box in the middle or pots and pans.  They will play with a box or pots and pans longer.  Why?  Imagination.  We want to give them everything but really they only need a little and a lot of imagination and love and attention. Not to mention discipline and rules.    So many people I talk with today have complained that workers only want to text all day.  They don't want to work.  Well, we are raising them into that society.  Give, give, give - give them lots, give them more, have no rules, go watch or do something and get out of my way - I've had a hard day.  The value of the dollar, morals, work ethics are going by the way side.  Every time I watch Supernanny on TV, the kids are out of control. Parents gave them everything and the children are running rampid.  When she comes in - the one thing she does every time is give them structure, discipline, and rewards.  The children always fall in line and are much happier.  So why is it that our society now needs Supernanny to help out?  Are we so out of touch that we've lost how to give structure etc. to our own children?
2013 - why not scale back a little?  Do you have enough? Do your children?  Do they really need everything all the time?  Maybe a couple of special gifts. Start a gift list instead of just buying.  Everytime they see something they want, tell them you will put it on the gift list for when birthday or Christma comes.  Don't just run out and buy it.  Then right before birthdays or Christmas, have them go throw the list again and mark down their number 3 toys and mark off things they no longer want.  You will find that a lot of the items they craved and "had to have" at that impulse second, no longer even interest them.  Do you have to play games, be on ipods, phones yourself when you are home?  Why not pull out some board games and spend some time together doing something fun the whole family can enjoy?  Go on a campout in your livingroom.  Do smores in the microwave, put out sleeping bags - even pitch a small tent.  Go on nature walks, teach your children to fish, fly a kite, bike ride together, etc.   Show them the beauty of a sunset, the stars in the sky, show them the world around them.  How leaves float down, the sounds of crickets - things they can latch onto and remember.  Take a camera - spend a day outdoors.  Do a picnic. Plant a garden and let them watch it grow. These are things children can not only have fun doing, but something that gives them purpose and meaning and not just another toy thrown on the floor.

Lets get back to roots and bare basics and use any of that extra money instead of buying all the latest and greatest - why not use some of that to help someone in need?  Tithe?  Save?  To much is given, much will be expected.  Our money is given to us to sustain us, but extra should be given to help others and do things more meaningful with it.  Scaling back will also help the family if times get rough and children will adapt better during those times too then. 

We may have not gotten much when I grew up, but I still remember my special gifts and still have them to this day.  When we get little - it means so much more when we get it.  They meant more when you had less.  Try it...make 2013 the year that you scale back on things and scale up on quality, family and such.

Have a great 2013!  ...until next time....

Ducks - #1 in Teamwork and Life Lessons!

photo credit: scenicreflections.com

Ducks - #1 in Teamwork and Life Lessons!

I know - you may be thinking - what can ducks teach me about teamwork and life? Everything.  If you've heard of this before - great - read it again as a great reminder and if you've never heard of it - then please read this - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

What we can learn from ducks is a valuable lesson.  Do you know that there is a reason they fly in the V shape?  You see the front duck takes up the leader role and takes the brunt of the wind for the rest of the flock.  As the other ducks line up behind, the drag on them is lessened. An uplift is created as each duck flaps it wings.  You see it takes everyone stepping up to do hard tasks at times.  If a duck gets off track, it will quickly get back in the formation because the flight is easier in formation for it.  So you see alone, we cannot get far.  We need others around us.   They quack and honk during flight thus giving the leader encouragement.  When was the last time you gave encouragement to someone around you that is a leader?  When the lead duck tires, it falls back to the end of the line and the next in line steps up so to speak to take the leadership role.  So the leader knows when it is time to step down and let someone else take the reigns.  A good leader.  A good leader allows his team to step up and take control and trusts them to do the job.  Did you know that if a duck is ill, two others will go down with it and stay with it to help protect it and will stay with it until it regains it's strength to move on or it dies.  Two other ducks allow it to stay at the rear of the pack while sick so that they can take turns taking the lead and the brunt while it can take the easy route.  This teaches us that when someone is down and out, we should step up and help them out and allow them to have a pass for a while.  And, it tells us to stay by them until they are better or healed.  Wow.  I don't know about you - but ducks are a great role model!   When the ducks take off again, they rejoin a flock if able.  They know that more can be done with teamwork.  The more they have on their team, the further they can go. 

This reminds me of a quote by Helen Keller: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

We definitely need one another - for laughs, strength, encouragement, help and so on.  It takes us all to pull together - for a team, for work, for life in general.  God has made us all special and unique.  No two people are exactly alike - not even twins.  Twins may look alike, but there is differences in personality, capabilities, talents, etc.  We are all unique.  That doesn't make someone bad because they aren't just like you, but we should learn that we can benefit each other in doing good.  We can each bring strengths, encouragements, ideas.  Everyone is needed.  If we could all just work together like ducks do - what an amazing world it could be.  Now here is my quote for you.  It;s part of a poem I wrote as a youth in school  I think it holds true still today.  "It's too bad that we can't realize that we aren't on different planets cast into space, but on one planet...under God's grace."

Take this lesson and see how you can help others and be a good team player at work, at home, in life. 

Do you have any special stories to share?  Help inspire us and send them in.  You'll get credit for your stories so give me a shout! 

Until next time....God bless you and keep you!



Live Today Like It's Your Last!

photo credit: James Dean/google images.com

 

I have to admit, I don't hear country music too much as I'm always listening to either christian or soft rock, but there is a song that I heard by Tim McGraw call "Live Like You Were Dying"  the lyrics spoke to me - the chorus was this:

 

"I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying"
And he said
"Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying"

It made me think - we should all be doing things now and living like we were dying because we aren't promised a tomorrow.  What would you do if you actually knew your time was up?  Would you laugh more? Forgive more?   Sing and dance and love more? 

 

We all get very busy in our hustle and bustle and we just think - I'll do it tomorrow.  But we never know.  I had a very loving chihuahua puppy I called Chloe. She was my girly girl and would always greet me when I came home, sat in my lap while I watch tv and curled up with me.  I truly loved that pet.  She passed away this past weekend and I've been so lost without her.  With no children of my own, she was a replacement that I could nurture and love and now that is gone and I think, I wish I could have sat with her more the day before, given her a special treat, petted her longer, etc.  It has been a sad time for me.  But it also made me reflect on that song and it made me remember, tomorrow is never promised.  So what can we do especially if money and things don't permit you to really live life like you could if you could?  Well, I personally have to rely on what can I do to make a difference to someone?  It can be so easy.  Compliment a coworker you normally wouldn't, ask for forgiveness from someone you've wronged, buy lunch for an elderly person, a volunteer, or someone out of the blue you see at the restaurant, pay the toll for someone behind you, pack up brown bags with water and fruit and pass them out to those on the street needing food, find someway to enhance someone else's life and you'll see that your life will be enhanced because when you make someone else smile - you'll be smiling yourself.    Be sure to let those around you know how much they mean to you because one just never knows.  Live with no regrets.  Forgive everyone you can - life is too short to hang on to grudges and for things like grudges - well, that can just pull you down and steal your joy.   I miss Chloe with all my heart and I'll never have time back with her.  Put together your bucket list and see what you can cross off, but perhaps make the list more about others than trips and things you can take.  Make it a helping others type of list...like bring fire fighters lunch one day, buy toys and bring it to an orphanage, find a rest home/nursing home and adopt an elderly grandparent there, you get the jest.  Live for others and then you'll live too!  Let me know if you've done anything that has changed your life lately.  I'd love to hear your comments!!

Until next time.....



ARE YOU READY?

Are you ready?  Time - it is a constant and whether we are ready or not - it continues with or without us.  There are so many things we have to get ready for - - work, school, events etc.  Sometimes we get very lost in our days and we forget those things that are important.  Are you ready?  God tells us to be ready even though we do not know the time or day of his coming, but we should be ready.   So, thinking about that, how many of us think we have more time than we actually have to be ready?  We take for granted that we have all the days ahead of us when in reality, we could only have this one.  I know I have not readied myself enough. We are given a lot of parables in the Bible to ready us, but do we catch them? read them?  Noah had to prepare for the flood; Joseph and Pharoh were prepared for the seven lean and seven fat years.  They stored up during the fat years for the lean to come.  You know we have all heard the news, watched tv and should know by now that crops are not doing well and prices of groceries are climbing and we get less for our buck these days.  Perhaps we need to watch the signs in front of us today and prepare our families for harder times too.  Maybe having a stash of items - extra groceries, first aid, etc. can help us in these harder financial times.   Some may say - that could be greedy but who is to say you would use it all for yourself?  Perhaps if you have more, then you can be the cornerstone in your neighborhood to help others if the time arises.  God tells us in the Bible that we will face harder times as his time nears.  Bread will cost a day's wages.   Some people say, God will take care of me.  Well, he will, but that reminds me of the little story of the guy who is trying to escape flood waters.  A truck comes by to evacuate him and he says no thanks that God will help him.  As the waters rise, he is now on his roof and a boat comes by and he says no thanks God will help him and then a helicopter and same story.  The man drowns and when he gets to heaven he says God, why didn't you save me?  The reply comes - well I send a truck, a boat and a helicopter.... The way I see it is that God gives us a brain to use and the ability to help ourselves too and the ability to seek his will and his wisdom.  So if Noah was prepared, and Pharoh prepared, then why don't we? We can ready our spirit and hearts by reading his word, but then prepare our families and others by perhaps enhancing our pantries when we can.  Buy when on sale, a little more than normal.  The worse thing is that you'll have extras later on you can donate to food pantries, or homeless, but what if the droughts, rains, fires, earthquakes worsen and what you save today can help you later or those around you?  By reading and getting into his word, then we can be more prepared for the time we need to be.  I know I am not near ready...Are you ready?  
Let me know what you may be doing  - I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time.....

Birthdays - - weren't they fun when you were young?

I recently had a birthday and though not everyone remembered, the day passed just as any other.  Birthdays were fun when we were young.  Presents and cake and balloons.  As I age I really only get presents from my spouse, there are no balloons and no cake. The day just sort of passes.  When did I get this old?

As time passes it seems I get more emotional about things around me.  Visits are more precious, calls and cards mean more.  I now know I'm getting older.  I think about how much my life has past and wonder - how much will I have left?  Already some of my classmates have passed away - how can that be? Inside I still feel very young - but my body and aches tell me otherwise. 

No, birthdays aren't as fun anymore as I now find it reminding me of my growing age.  It seems it just sneaks up on you.  Why in the world didn't I realize things when I was younger? Done things differently?  Do you ever think like this dear reader?

Birthdays also remind me as I age, I take things more in appreciation too though.  Visits mean more, people mean more.  Less is taken for granted.  That is a good thing so I guess with age does come some wisdom (and not just gray hair!)  I now also don't need to impress anyone or live my life a certain way for anyone - another plus for aging. 

You know God never promised us a tomorrow though we live our lives like we are going to live forever.  So today, whether you are young or older, start living today like it is your last.  Learn to forgive those you need to, call someone you haven't talked to, tell someone what they meant to you, take a walk with your best friend, but live.   Don't wait for tomorrow for tomorrow may never come.    Help someone, do something to make not just a difference - but a good difference.  As you age, what will your mark be on the world?  Those around you?  Those closest to you? 

Some people get depressed as they have another birthday, but do what I do - celebrate the fact that you and I survived another year - look at it like the TV show Survivor - you are surviving life.  You are given another day, year etc. to make a difference.  

Now go out and celebrate you - don't wait for others to remember or celebrate you - do it yourself.  Be kind to you - take some time for you and enjoy the fact that you have every opportunity to make a difference to someone.   Actually each day we have on this earth is like a birthday when after each night we go to sleep that we wake up and have another day.  I thank God each day for the next day he has given me.  Start appreciating the days you are given and you may find that life can become more meaningful.

So happy birthday to you!  (now where's that cake?!)  : )

until next time....