Before smart phones, the internet, online streaming, and well even further back when there wasn’t indoor lighting. There was a time when the primal needs of survival were simple… Food, water, shelter, company, and warmth. Further more, back then using the most out of the daylight meant life or death. Once the sunset on the horizon or dropped on the mountains, the fire was of great importance for its warmth and light. The fire: a place where people gathered together to socialize, eat, share stories and more.

As the world became more modernized with inventions; people no longer needed just one fire pit. Leading up to the invention of electricity it sparked a social change that still has an effect today. Now a-days, family and friends gather around TV’s or Televisions. Funny word: tele-visions… A screen that “tells your vision”. The response to this literal and symbolic situation categorizes people in two groups. Person A is that person or parent that is aware of the influence that a screen has, and will tend to act out of fear. An example of this is the parent that is over bearing / hovering the child; trying to control the outside world in a means to protect their child. Person B is that parent that is so-carefree that others around are rightfully worried about the safety of the child. I used the example of parents, because it’s easier to see and relate to in this situation, and alike the relationship of the parent to child: the way we treat our minds and bodies can be a metaphorical comparison. These two ‘types’ of people can be a bit extreme cases, and many people are more in that in-between gray area. But what does that gray area look like?

The gray area can be a messy place to be… My opinion is that the grey smokey area it’s the birth place of confusion and uncertainty, but being the ‘cosmicsurferdood’ it’s my playground,,lol. Focusing back to the matter at hand the relationship that we have with technology is one that needs maintenance and care. Maintenance because it’s ever evolving and growing, and care because of its power and capabilities. One thing that seems odd to me is that many people get so accustom and comfortable with relatively new tech and inventions. I think we forget that we don’t fully know the long term effects of these technologies. Not to get off point, but its important to tread carefully for we are the guinea pigs here…

Back to the conversation about phones, tablets, TV’s and other devices being a useful tool or a harmful one… Is a tough one, because technology has become so much part of our everyday life. So I don’t think it’s a conversation about computers and such being bad and non shall use them, but an open discussion on how to approach technology. The focus on creating a healthy relationship; one where it optimizes living. Two questions to think about… One being about children and how to find a balance on and off the screen, and to where the line is drawn. The other being about the evolution of technology. With VR, AR, and AI who knows where the line is in all of that… I brought forth these questions not to answer them but to just voice them out. These are technical topics that hopefully get answered by the qualified people that can solve them. But whooo knows if the “right” solution will be implemented or if capital gains take priority once again…

So, how does one incorporate a healthy and balanced relationship with technology. My approach is to fully participate in what I am currently doing and with intention. Secondly I make a clear line between when I start and when I finish a task or whatever is at hand. Lastly, I have activities that counter balance screen time. Now , what does this look like? By fully participating I mean, if I am hanging with friends or family I make sure to put my attention towards who I am with and to engage. This can be hard with say, my girlfriend, for there is time in-between what we are doing, more commonly know as “chillin”. I do my best to reduce my chill-time, unless I had a long day and chillin is what the “doctor ordered” 😉 and which is most likely paired with some Mary Jane or a cold one. The key here is to be aware of what I am doing and to do that fully and intentionally. It is very easy to get caught up in-between two activities in the confusing gray area. (Like having too many tabs open and getting off track.) This second part helps me save loads of time. By having a clear start and setting a finish time it keeps me on track. It forces me to be clear in what my steps are in order to accomplish and meet the deadline. It’s also nice to when I get distracted and helps regain awareness, focus, and get on target.

Then you got those activities that counter balance screen time. The best part about this is that both screen time and the whatever you choose for non-screen time gets better. By better I mean they grow in significance and gain importance. I feel by intentionally having activities that compliment your screen time, makes room for more enjoyment.

I say it’s up to you if it’s the modern camp fire or a black mirror. (The perspective or lens that you are looking thru has a direct effect of your experience.) The thing to take away is that: YOU have the power to create the relationship that you choose. By consciously and honestly evaluating how you currently are, and then setting some boundaries and guidelines on how you choose to be, you can create healthy relationships. Never allow fear to control or dictate your life. Shine some light (awareness) and find that love.

(oops, I forgot to shine light for the people who work all day on the computer, aka almost everyone… separate post coming soon!!!) stay tuned, and subscribe! Ka-chow!