5-minute Friday: "In Real Life"

5-Minute Friday time! ... where you just write for five minutes without worrying whether it's just right or not. I'm linking up with the Gypsy Mama for today's topic: In Real Life.

Go.
I've been thinking about technology--what it does for us vs. what it does to us. Just last weekend I had a freak-out over forgetting my phone on a night out, then the next day I met a good friend for lunch and we ended up sitting and talking for three hours and I was reminded how much better things are in real life.

I look back on how much talking we did during that rendezvous. How much laughing. How much it wouldn't have been the same as texting or Facebooking or blog-commenting. Not the same at all.

So what does technology do for us? It offers convenience, connection, and a definite coolness factor to our lives that I really do embrace and feel thankful for. But what does it do to us? It can control us. It can cloud how we perceive another's words. It can trick us into thinking connections made through electronic media are enough.

People want community, and this desire didn't originate on Facebook. Even though sometimes online is all we have, it's not always enough. What would life be without hugging, tone of voice, laughing, or seeing for yourself how someone's face lights up when they first see you?

Our Creator made us with a desire to need each other. And who among us hasn't missed someone? If you've ever been away from someone you love and then been reunited with them (or even if you haven't) you know that nothing beats real life. Nothing.
Stop.

Too much technology?

I used to watch Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman back in the 90s. I remember one of her lines in an episode where she was arguing with Sully about the railroad coming through town (or something like that) and she shouted "You can't stop progress!".

And she was right. Or her screenwriter was right. We definitely cannot stop progress, technological or otherwise.

I'm a huge fan of gadgets and technology of all kinds. I don't have time for TV, but I can't imagine life without computers and I'm extremely attached to my Macbook. I'm fascinated with the new world of e-reading and love my Kindle. Even though I can't justify the purchase, I wish for an iPad. And apparently I don't even know how to function without my iPhone.

This past weekend we were going to one of B's gigs, and halfway there I realized I'd forgotten my cell phone. And I totally freaked out.

Today I'm thinking back to the scene and I don't like how it made me feel to be without my phone. I got frustrated and even a little sick to my stomach. I almost started to panic. What if my kids need to call me? What about that bank transfer I was going to make on the way? What if I miss an important email? What will my friends think if they text me and I don't answer? Heck, I can't even check Facebook!

B had his phone, so at least I had a way to talk to my kids. But his phone ... well, it's a flip-phone. Practically an antique. He isn't a fan of smart-phones (he says he chooses to remain smarter than his phone). So I attempted to text the kids on his flip-phone and couldn't even remember how. Which frustrated me even more. So as I sat fuming and grinding my teeth, it occurred to me that I must have a problem.

Questions nagged me as I sat there with no way to text or check messages or get on Facebook or move money around. Why am I so dependent on my phone? Why do I feel I have to be so connected?  I started to see just how much this "staying connected" consumes me.

And I also realized how much I don't want to be controlled by anything or anyone ... except the Holy Spirit. How can I go days at a time not spending quality time with Him, yet I freak out over being without my iPhone for four hours? Nothing about that feels right to me.

Is there anyone else out there like me? Have you made a decision to give up your smart-phone? Do you limit yourself when it comes to technology and/or social networking?

New web design (and a request or two...)

Thanks to the amazing Design Diva, I have a new web design! She provided me many amazing options, but for reasons I discussed in my tree post, I had to go with the tree. I really do love trees! Let me know how you like it (leave me a comment!).

Toward the end of next month, I am going to attend the writers' track of a conference in North Carolina (She Speaks 2011), during which I will have the opportunity to meet with publishers and agents and learn more about polishing my book proposal.

I covet your prayers as I seek the Lord's direction in writing my book. There's so much I want to write about, and things are all swirly in my mind right now. I need the Lord to clear my thoughts and help me focus. I also desperately need His help in figuring out how to impress the socks off of potential publishers.

For now, I need to get as many "Likes" as possible on my Facebook page. It's also of great benefit to have an abundance of subscribers to my blog, whether through RSS or email. A good following on Twitter would be awesome, too, but my involvement there has been a little pathetic (I'm trying to do better and "tweet" more often).

If you could follow me by one or two or three or all four of the ways I've listed above, I'd be so grateful! Also, if you could pass this request along to your friends, it would be a huge help to me.

Thank you for reading my blog. I know my posts aren't always captivating, but they are definitely from the heart. Some of you already know this, but almost every time I post something here, I get nauseous. I wonder who will care what I have to say...what right do I have to discuss spiritual things in the public realm...you name it, it probably enters my mind. So thank you for the encouraging things you say to me about my writings. The Lord has given me a story to tell, and I'm going to tell it despite the obstacles.

So...I'll be seeing you either here, on Facebook, on Twitter, through email, or in your RSS feed reader. Thank you again! And since I'm in the habit of doing so, I'll leave you with a scripture--one that has been on my heart for some reason these past few days. It doesn't really relate to this post...

or does it? ....

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV