Wednesday May 18 2016  TIME VERSES STUFF

The more stuff I own, the less time I have.  Realistically we all have the same 24 hours in our day.  It is just that some days seem as if they are shortened.  So I sat back and thought a bit.  What is it that is taking up so much of my time?  I have discovered one of the greatest culprits for me is my IPhone.  So what do I do about it? 

Years ago I watched quite a bit of television.  It was before my hearing became so bad and during a period of time when I couldn’t walk without pain.  I was extremely overweight and had a difficult job as I was on my feet a big portion of my work day.  When I was able to get off my feet I watched television or read books.  After becoming acquainted with a variety of TV series I believe I became addicted to certain shows.  I was attending college classes in the evening during that time and I remember hurrying home to “watch my program”.   Television became very important to me.  In retrospect I now realize those days too seemed to not have enough hours. 

After foot surgery and a period of recovery I was able to be on my feet more, opened my own photography business, and then had no time to watch television.  Then on the occasions when I would try to watch a program, I could no longer hear it effectively, so I pretty much just gave it up.  My life blossomed and I was so busy after that but I did accomplish a lot of work.  And now I need to accomplish a lot but my time seems to evaporate.

So, after deliberating as to where my time was evaporating, I think I have it narrowed down to a few culprits.  Being gone for two plus hours each morning to exercise is one of the time gobblers.  Another reason is the time it takes for me to write and proof my blogs on a daily basis.  The third reason is the time it takes for me to try to stay on top of all that finds its way to me through this modern gadget, the IPhone.  Me and the IPhone is another one of those love/hate relationships.  I dare not google anything because then I am inundated with unsolicited emails from a myriad of businesses that now know I am interested in a certain topic.  I think it even happens when I order an MP3 book from the library to listen to, or order a hard-copy book from half.com or Amazon.com.  It is exasperating. 

My dilemma is, how do I settle this time management situation?  I must exercise for health and so that is a must.  I enjoy writing this blog and do not want to stop doing so.  So it seems that I must get rid of this phone!  So I have decided to TRY to do one thing about it.  Since I have so much work to accomplish at home to downsize our belongings, I must put my phone away.  So here is the plan I formulated.  I am going to TRY (and the operative word is TRY) to set my phone aside for one week out of each month.  My first thought was to not use any electronics (Iphone, computer, TV.) for one week out of each month to just to see how simple my life might become without all the interruption.  I’ve asked myself, can I do it?  I ask you, do you think you could do it?  Take into consideration that I am retired and do not need to use the computer or phones for a job and some may not have that advantage.  COULD I DO IT?  That is the question.  Do I want to do it?  No, not really, but I sure would like to get a lot of other things accomplished.

And then comes the realization that what I need to do is work on the book I HOPE to publish (along with downsizing) but would not be allowed to use the computer on the week without electronics, so therefore, even though I wasn’t using the IPhone, I would still be using electronics.  So maybe the first step is just to release myself from the grasp of the cyber world and use the computer to strictly work on printing hardcopy for proofing, and zeroing in on accomplishing as much as possible during my Iphone-less week.  In other words, I would limit myself from the internet in all venues.  I’ll split my time between exercise, blog, printing, and downsizing.  The question I ask myself is:  CAN I DO IT?  WILL I DO IT?  And I ask myself, does that mean I won’t be able to listen to my sermons on my IPhone at the gym?  Oh man…this will not be easy.  Maybe I should just start with one day.

That means no talking on the cell phone, no emails, no messages, AND NO TAKING PHOTOS!!!  I might have to get my camera out again!  Taking pictures is just in my blood.

 

BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS

By Kathleen Martens

May 18, 2016

 

Oh the dilemma of what to do

When there is so much to ensue.

The age of knowledge is to blame,

And all the gadgets we can name.

 

Phones and televisions, computers and mouse,

VCR’s and Blue Rays around the house.

IPhones and headsets, and google chrome

Seem to invade our personal home.

 

Screens and T.V.’s in enormous size

As their importance seem to rise.

Radios and boom boxes from the past,

Everything upgraded, nothing lasts.

 

The latest this and the latest that,

Is what makes the profits fat.

And we just can’t be left behind,

We NEED the latest fashion design!

 

And all the upgrades are a must,

For the latest version, so many lust.

Pull out the plastic and slap it down

To buy the newest thing in town.

 

And soon the world is in your hand,

And now with buttons you command.

And relationships are no longer needed,

Only Facebook is what is heeded.

 

And dreams fly by as you move your thumbs,

And the heart becomes a little numb.

Click here, click there, that’s what life is about,

And without that phone you have no clout.

 

So what to do when you decide to live?

What in your day has to give?

Just how do we get back on track?

Perhaps it’s the gadgets we need to lack.

 

I’ll let you know if I get down and serious!

 

God, thank You for “THE AGE OF KNOWLEDGE” of which You speak about in Your Holy Word.

Thank You Father that You have prepared me to be aware of what is to come during this age.

Thank You Lord for opening my eyes to the fact that I need to focus on You instead of all the gadgets that surround me.

Thank You for my friend Michelle who came over today.

Thank You Lord for the health I have this day.

Thank You Lord for all the nutritious food Your earth provides for me.

Thank You for staplers.

Thank You for binders.

Thank You again for peanut butter.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S.  Oops!  I think my blog is probably too long tonight.  I just looked at the time and it is later than I thought.