I recently read a story retold by the father of a young family of three that included himself, his wife and their young daughter. According to his recounting, after dinner they were each challenged to share an object symbolic of how they would describe one another to a stranger. When it was the daughter’s turn to share the item she thought to be representative of her father, she produced a cell phone. At her young age, she wasn’t taking a sarcastic “shot” at her dad, rather, it was how she truly saw him when he was home. 

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I would be brave enough to ask my family to produce an object they felt symbolic of me! It did, however, get me thinking, “Where do I spend my time?” 

I’m sure a lot of us are guilty, present company included, of having our heads buried in a phone, be it reading emails, responding to a text, or simply just indulging in the guilty pleasures found on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or any of the other entertaining social platforms available at our fingertips. There’s a convenience to so much nowadays, especially from a digital standpoint. It can be efficient, effective and foster flexibility that allows us to operate in a completely untethered space. 

Ironically, the technology designed to keep us so connected can also cause us to be equally disconnected, especially from the ones that matter most. Perhaps the reality check that this father got from his daughter can serve as a lesson for the rest of us. If our heads are constantly down, so much life will pass us by, and we’d be none the wiser. 

Look up, be present, and enjoy what’s right in front of you!