The Epidemic

We are in the middle of a full-blown epidemic. It affects every person and every relationship. It is the sickness of not truly listening to one another. The greatest culprit of this harmful illness is the small rectangle that we carry with us or the smaller one we wear on our wrists. I’m talking about our cell phone.

Looking down into the depths of our phones has become more than a national hobby; it is a national obsession. It also sends a strong signal that nothing or no one is as important as our phone. Instead of being present and engaging in conversation or being in the moment with someone, we choose to engage and be in the moment with our cell phones. We live as if we are afraid of missing out on something that might pop up, scroll by, or show up on our phones. It is the ultimate sickness of FOMO that never seems to end.

The results of this obsession are that people are more lonely than ever before, lack authentic face-to-face communication skills, and are experiencing shallow and unfilled relationships.

It’s time to put the phones down. Take a break. Look up and out instead of down and into your phone. Have a conversation without the phone. Be alone without the phone and experience the settings around you. Be present and patient with the person you love and care about. Show them that they are more important than your phone.

Let’s stop the epidemic of cell phone obsession. When you choose to decrease your screen time, you will make a difference.

Larry