I remember the days of not being tethered to an electronic leash. Those glorious days of not having a pager (ha! that seems like 1000 years ago), a cell phone or some other such device tracking one's every move. It has been years since I was out of touch with either work or home for more than a moment.
Yesterday was a day of no cell phone for me. I had left it (inadvertently) on the kitchen counter in the morning. At about 82nd St. on I-69, I realized it was not with me. First, panic. Then acceptance, then finally .... peace. Yes, glorious peace.
It is not that I am unreachable without a cell phone, quite the opposite. When I am at work, I have, at minimum, my desk phone and email to reach me. At home, my home phone and email. In the car, yes, the only way to reach me is by cell phone.
As I settled into my day, I realized just how much this electronic tether binds me to tasks. I feel the need to answer it when it rings. To respond to texts when I receive them. To pay close attention to make sure I have not missed a call.
Without it, I am free.
When I returned home last night after work, I got dressed for the gym and headed out. Before I headed out, I reached out for my phone and nearly put it in my purse. Then I thought, wait ... enjoy your time ... be without it. So I did. I went to the gym, sweated my ass off and enjoyed my iPod. When I came home, I noticed I had a couple of voicemails. I listened to them as I ate my supper and determined neither call needed returned at that time. I read my book, watched a show and called it a night. It was glorious.
... and today I left it at home again. I can't decide whether I did it on purpose or not, but all the same, I will enjoy another day of glorious silence.
ommmmm.
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