I saw it with my face
A few weeks ago, I came around a corner and saw the HUGE brilliant full moon. It was breathtakingly gorgeous. I stopped and stared. Immediately I wanted to share it with everyone I know. I texted a bunch of people “GO LOOK OUTSIDE !!!! The moon is gorgeous” then I frantically tried to capture its glory by snapping a few pictures on my phone.
But I couldn’t capture it. The moon looked sad, small and far away on my phone camera, overshadowed by a streetlight. To my eyes, it was huge and magical. On my phone, not so much.
We’re in a culture where every moment is caught, cataloged, hash-tagged and Insta-ed. We’re removed from being present by the lens of the ever present smartphone.
At shows, I see people watching live entertainment, people who are actual, real and right in front of them on their phone. I know that they are recording it to watch and enjoy later.
But what about enjoying it now while it’s happening ? What about being absolutely present ?
We are all phone addicts. The phone is a crutch we’re using to distract us from our loneliness and our anxiety. The phone fills up the space where we can’t tolerate our feelings. Feel awkward at a party ? Take out your phone and look at other people living their lives. Do you feel better ? I never do.
I’m making a conscious and concerted effort to put my phone away, leave it in my purse or sometimes leave it home entirely.
It forces me out of my shell, to connect, to witness events directly. Things are so much more potent when we see it with our face.
And to let events burn directly into my memory which is better than any technology will ever create.
Things my iPhone will never capture:
The sweetness of my boyfriend tending to his elderly ailing father.
The happiness of being in good company, laughing on a rooftop, while the summer sun sets in pinks oranges and corals.
The energy of an amazing dancer/singer/performer tearing up a stage showing all their passion and creativity.
The amazing magic of the retreat I recently went on.
The boundless wonder of watching a kid explore the world.
And of course the moon.
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Love,
Kate
#fearlessoverforty #mentalhealth #selfcare #genx #midlife #womeninmidlife