Put Your Phone Down

Grant it texting and phone calls are necessary sometimes, but not to the point where it takes the place of getting to know someone and spending time with this person. Or perhaps staying in touch with someone you already know such as family members and/or friends.

Where have our 'real life relationships' gone in this day and age? Everyone wants to either text or just leave you a voice message on your cell phone. No one has the time to have that personal time speaking with each other anymore. They are either too busy texting or being on their computers, tablets, etc.

I am told by my own children. "Mom just text me. I am busy I can't talk right now." My response is, "OOOOk if that is the only way to stay in touch I guess I have to take what I can get." That being said I do speak with my first born on the phone so I am thankful for that. I really dislike texting because it takes me forever to type those little letters. My sister sends me a text because she can't chat and is just 'too busy'. Nobody has time anymore. We have to take a stand and guard against letting technology replace face to face communication. Sadly it is more evident in our teens and next generation known as Millennials.

The home was once a place of refuge where families could talk and build strong bonds after long days at work and school. But you just don't see this any more.

The majority of teens today has very limited communication skills. They have lost the ability to build true friendships with peers around their age. Teens with their older contacts makes it a lot tougher for these kids to learn lessons from those who are older and more experienced, for example; their grandparents or parents.

My daughter and I can be in the same room but there still isn't any communication because for her; the computer is her communicator. So instead of making her want to spend time with me I resort to getting on my own computer, when in fact I should try to find ways to communicate with her but I am finding that when you do it is like your interrupting their space.

When in public if you watch the kids of this generation you will see that they are too busy texting someone else, even when they are with their other friends. There are a few exceptions but the majority are constantly on a digital device.

I have gone to restaurants only to see couples busy texting or talking on their cell phones rather than talking to each other and enjoying 'real life' company. We have lost the true art of really communicating and spending genuine time together, really taking the time to listen to the other person next to you or sitting across from you.

Put that phone down, and give that person your undivided attention.

Technology is good, but not to the point where it has replaced the lost art of true communication. This is often found among the younger generations of today's world. But I am also seeing it with all generations in modern times.

As I stated before that I observed couples in a public setting and watched many of them spending more time with their cell phones than with each other. Sad but true.

I once read that there was a study on couples. They discovered these couples didn’t really know each other. They had them spend ten minutes of their time with just conversing with one another. What was discovered in this test was having each one share their feelings. The couples who met for the first time and interacted with casual conversation having their phones with them in sight felt a lower quality interaction, therefore having a less prudential of a deeper meaningful relationship. This was because the very sight of the cell phone made them feel as though they weren’t getting the other persons undivided attention.

On the other hand, the couples who have spent ten minutes in conversation without their phones felt that there was a much better connection for a more meaningful conversation, and perhaps down the road a deeper relationship.

The conclusion: The presence of a cell phone can sometimes have a negative effect on personal relationships. By not keeping your phone in the other person's sight and ditching this device, you can possibly lead to feelings of closeness, trust, and more meaningful conversation.

Cell phones in my opinion are necessary but when you are spending quality time with someone then the best thing is not to let this device interfere with the person and/or persons that you regularly spend your time with.

I was spending quality time with my son. He was spending quality time with his phone. "Excuse me Adam, Can you please put your phone down?"

I remember being so embarrassed one time because I went to a service and thought that my phone was set to silent. I showed up late (for some reason I can't recall), something I really hate to do. To top it off the pastor just got through reminding everyone to please shut off their phones. Shortly after he was giving his message (about five minutes later), my phone rings and it was on the loud ringer. I couldn’t find that dang phone! I slightly panicked and began digging in my purse. Finally it stops ringing only for it to start again, this time the pastor is staring at me.

So I get up being near the front of the church with my phone still ringing, struggling to find it in my purse as I was walking out with everyone staring. I finally get outside (this is at night), and it was the wrong number. I disrupted the entire message and service because I took my cell phone into church without silencing the device.

I have watched others in church while they are busy texting on their phones. Isn’t that awful that we feel that we have to be with our cell phones, even in church? I was so embarrassed and rightfully so I should have been, that was very rude on my part.

Come on people, what did we do before the cell phone existed? I don’t see much of the good ole' fashion way of communicating anymore. Grant it there is a need for a cell phone in necessary circumstances. But when it becomes a replacement for one- on -one, face to face talking, and not allowing for interruptions with this gadget. It is like a matter of life and death if we can’t have our phone with us 24-7. It has become like someone stated; our DNA.

I fear for our younger generation who only know how to communicate this way; via through texting, email, Twitter, Facebook, and any other social media you can name. I hope the art of communication isn’t lost entirely.

Do Not Text While You Are Driving!!! There are more accidents texting with your cellphones than there are drinking and driving. Take it seriously and STOP doing that while you are driving. I can't stress this enough!