Take a Moment

Everywhere you look these days you see screens.  Everywhere!  Giant televisions, computers, IPods, IPhones, Blackberrys.  It is nearly impossible to avoid some sort of high tech device that allows you to snap photos, text message, update your Facebook page or take a video clip.  There seems to be this constant need, addiction, requirement, to be constantly plugged in, to be updating everyone about your whereabouts, to be snapping pictures or recording moments.  What ever happened to just being in the moment?  To just enjoying the moment as it happens?

LW and I took a mid week weekend on Tuesday.  We hopped off the island over to Vancouver for the night to see one of our favourite bands, The Arcade Fire.  I forgot my cell at home plugged into the wall, charging and LW, well, he doesn't own one.  He doesn't like being readily available.  We were supposed to meet up with a friend and while it took a little more effort to find a pay phone to call him and for about an hour I felt a little lost, I found it really relaxing not to have my phone or a clock with me.  And it was wonderful that it was just us and no one could interrupt our time - it  truly made it our little trip.

Back to the screens.  We arrived at the venue for the show a little early and were sitting in our seats watching the people filing in.  Tons of people with their drinks, their newly purchased Arcade Fire t-shirts, their jackets over their arms, purses and of course their bloody phones.  Everywhere we turned there were screens glowing that eerie light.  All around the stadium.  There was a family of four a few rows in front of us and the mother and daughter could not stop looking at their IPhones or whatever they were.  Looking at pictures they'd taken, or text messaging or reading emails.  At one point, we watched the husband and wife stare at the time on her phone for 2 minutes - just staring at these bright red numbers.

I do not understand this, AT ALL.  There is so much going on around you at any given moment during the day - why oh why is a tiny little screen in your hand more interesting than the hundreds of people milling around you?  Don't get me wrong, I understand that you may be meeting someone and need to get in touch.  But I do not understand how the world - the actual living, breathing, changing world - is not captivating enough to hold your attention for a half hour.

In yoga, we are told to focus on the moment, to BE in the moment.  Forget what you have to do, what you forgot to do and where you need to be.  Just exist. 

I think we need to this more in our everyday lives, as well.  Enjoy what's going on around you!  Enjoy watching the kids with their parents at a music show.  Admire the pretty girl sitting by herself.  Look at people's fashion style and sense.  You can't find this life on a screen in the palm of your hand.  You can look for it but I guarantee you, it won't feel the same.