Pioneers and Cell Phones

Yesterday was what I am calling a "trial run" (or maybe a trail run). I wanted to see what would happen to my day if I ignored my cell phone, didn't answer the home phone, and stayed off the computer most of the day. Modern technology is stealing away our time; or, are we allowing it to take away hours of our day when we should be getting things done.

As most of us do, I have tons of projects that need to be done--going through dresser drawers, closets, cleaning rooms from top to bottom. I picked one project yesterday and worked on it without modern day interruptions. Amazingly, the project is almost completed. My brain is sending me messages right now of "Duh! What are you spending your time on right now?" Modern technology. Don't get me wrong. I love reading all the blogs from friends and especially family. Watching videos of my grandchildren can put the biggest smile in my heart and completely turn my day around. And, I enjoy writing on my blog and consider it a keepsake and a journal.

I chuckled today to myself (alright, I even talk to myself, ask Eric) as I thought about the pioneers trekking along the trail, pushing and pulling trying to get in the most miles they could every day. They worked and toiled with all of their might. There was no stopping along the way to text a relative in England, to text somebody three carts ahead of them, or to make a call to a loved one. Imagine what could happen. There they are texting away and the next thing they know their oxen have plowed into the wagon in front of them causing a large traffic jam and ending their work for the day. We must look absolutely idiotic to those who have gone before us as they look at us trying to drive while texting, making a phone call, playing with a GPS, putting in a different CD or whatever it is that takes our eyes off of what we are doing.

For myself, I have some improving to do. Modern technology is not going to encompass everything I need to get done. There are more important "journeys" that I need to trek, for example the hallway that leads to the bedrooms in the back of the house. Is there anything so very important that I have to take my eyes off the "trail" and risk plowing my "oxen" into somebody else's wagon? "For some must push and some must pull as we go marching up the hill"--it's time for pushing and pulling for me and I see the "mountains" of work that I must climb become "valleys" of clean rooms and fresh smelling laundry. "And merrily on my way I'll go until I reach the valley-o!!"