The Lens We Look Through

My blog entry for the day is less about what we have done and instead about a thought that has occurred to me. This week I have had a lot of time to sit back and think about my relationship with technology and how difficult it is disconnect from the world back home, even in a beautiful setting like the Grand Canyon. I cannot tell you how many times I looked down at my phone throughout the week even though I had no connection or cell service.

Every night I had to travel down the road to a hotel to check emails, listen to voicemails, and call people back. This was unavoidable as work still continues and I am in the midst of searching for a job for after graduation, but this has helped me realized how codependent I am with technology. I feel like I have had actual withdrawals from reddit, Facebook, etc. and I am not alone in this because I see it everywhere here. People walk around with smart phones and view the Grand Canyon through a tiny screen when the real thing is right in front of them.

I have decided to address this issue starting this week while I am here. I feel like everyone should do the same. I decided that I would take two or three pictures of the canyon, a few more with my girlfriend, and I told myself I would not touch the GoPro camera more than a couple times for the week and I have kept to that. I want to build up real memories in my head that I can remember forever.  When I get back I am going to put my phone away and not use it when I am home unless I need to call or text, I am going to make sure I limit my time to a definitive time on the net, every day, read more, and I am going to enjoy the time I spend with family and friends instead of looking at a screen. I recommend you all do the same and enjoy the beauty around you. Time is fleeting and you cannot roll back the clock.

-Jared