An Open Letter to My iPhone, Computer, Radio, iPod, Television, and DVD player

Dear iPhone, Computer, Radio, iPod, television, and DVD player —

I wanted to let you know that I won’t be able to see as much of you all over the next 40 days. You know I love you all; in fact, I spend more time with you guys than anyone else. But lately, things have just gotten a little too serious between us. It seems everytime I try to have a conversation with a friend or spend a little time by myself, you’re there. You’re always interrupting me, and sometimes, you even try to get my attention while I’m sleeping.

Mostly, I think we need a break because even when I’m with you, I don’t feel like I’m really “there,” you know. My mind is in too many different places. It’s not you; it’s me. I need some time apart to try to get things worked out in my own life again. Then, when it’s time, our relationship will be a lot healthier.

I’m sure I’ll see you around over the next couple of weeks; I can’t talk on the phone or blog or check my email without running into one of you. But I just won’t be spending as much time as usual, and when we’re together, I want it to just be one on one time. I don’t want you all there at once. It’s not fair to any of us.

I hope you understand . . .

Love,
Charity

—

So many of you have commented and emailed about yesterday’s post, I know I’ve hit a nerve! I am hoping that this idea of being present will be a Lenten lesson for us all, and I plan to blog about doing one thing at a time over the next 40 days. It’s already been an eye opener just paying attention to all of the things I “try” to do at once over the past 24 hours.

And in case you’re interested in learning more, I heard a story on NPR yesterday about another aspect of “mono-tasking,” as some call it. There’s a new and still pretty small movement call “Slow Media” that is promoting a one-medium at a time approach to technology. Find out more about it here. If you’re on Facebook, you might want to consider joining the Slow Media Movement page. (Yes, I’m aware of the irony!)

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