Last week, James and I went on our annual Christmas concert date and saw TransSiberian Orchestra.
I have always enjoyed their Christmas music and this was our first time of seeing them in concert. James had shared that he had read the light show and music would be incredible. He even chose specific seats (back in the day he used to set up stages for musicians) so that we would have the perfect sound quality.
The concert did not let us down. It was over two and a half hours of entertainment, visually stunning with a laser show that would have been the star if there weren’t musicians. This was a concert that truly encompassed most of the senses with stunning lights, heat from fire torches, cool air and soup bubbles falling from the sky as snow, and talented singers and musicians that strapped themselves to move among and over the crowd as well as run the stage.
However, I’m not sure half of the audience experienced these elements as they were viewing everything from their phones.
As the concert begin, you could see the symphony of cell phone screens light up as the events were recorded. Many of these people kept their phone up for the majority of the concert. A lady in front of us was late arriving and before she even sat down in her seat she pulled out her ipad to begin taping.
By the way, I felt she look stupid and found it annoying as she held it up to get the right angle.
[tweetthis]There is more to life than what is seen through the screen of a cell phone.[/tweetthis]
I have written about trying to be mindful in each moment of my life. There are many times when I fail. However, I went to the concert wanting to fully experience the events. I felt the heat from the main stage fire, watched the “snow” glitter and change colors, caught a soap bubble, was mesmerized by the color changes and dancing lights and in awe at the vocal power of the singers.
I do not believe those concert goers who spent the evening making sure everything was being captured on their phone were able to have the same experience. As this
article from MindBodyGreen states , phones and other electronic gadgets keep us from being aware of what is going on outside of the screen.
[tweetthis]Not every moment in our life can or should be captured in a photograph or video. [/tweetthis]
Many of the most significant moments of my life are held close in my heart and memory. The feelings and emotions that were felt would never be conveyed via an electronic device.
I love my cell phone and am forever grateful for the power of technology. However, I feel that each of us must stop living our lives within the small area of our screen. Life is going on around us and we are missing out. We are missing out on smells and sounds. We are not allowing ourselves to feel our surroundings because we are too busy “capturing” something else.
To be honest, towards the end of the concert I did take a 30 second video but during this time I was also aware of what I wasn’t paying attention to. Thus, it was a short video.
Social media and the connivence of devices has made us each want to show the world what are doing. As a result, I believe we are experiencing less.
As we approach Christmas and New Year’s, I challenge you to view the world less through your phone screen and to experience the moment. Yes, you may not have that fantastic photo to share on Instagram but you may be surprised at what you experience.
How are you viewing your world?
]]>
I love this post. I couldn’t agree more that sometimes we let technology control our lives too much. There are so many things in my life that I remember because of the memory not because i had my phone connected to my hand the whole time.
Thanks Jessa. I know this is a topic you’ve been thinking a lot about lately. I’ve just become increasingly aware of the amount of attention my phone is taking from me. Life is out around us – not on a small screen. Did you delete you social media from your phone? How are you doing with it?
I love this!! I’ve been trying to use my phone less and less. I deleted my social media apps and games just to help me out. It’s actually freeing and I find that I have way more time to enjoy things.
Steph Good for you for deleting your apps and games. If it isn’t there, you will not use it. It’s amazing how freeing it is to not have your phone at times. So glad you stopped by.
This is so good. I think of that too when I see people constantly “checking in” on Facebook. I want to enjoy the moment, not look back on how well I “shared” the moment on social media.
I so agree with you. I think our society has become obsessed with making sure everyone knows what Fabulous thing we are doing. Meanwhile, as it takes 10 shots to get the perfect picture etc, the food is cold and the moment has passed. Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth.
i LOVE this!!! too often you see couples on dates with their noses buried in facebook and twitter. I agree; put the phone down and start living. also, HOW AMAZING you got to see TransSiberian Orchestra. ahhhh! so amazing!
The concert was really good (I had no idea what to expect). There was so much going on that I’m certain you could see the show multiple times and find something different each time. I try to not pull my phone out of my purse any more when I go to a restaurant. I’m there to be with my husband and friends.
Um. Yes! I noticed this in particular at E’s basketball practice last week. Every parent but A and I had out their phones. We were just enjoying watching him.
I also have that thought about how silky a person looks when they use their iPad to take a photo. 🙂
I’m becoming more aware of it. People sitting with each other at a restaurant and each looking at their phones. At E’s game, there was so much more going on than can be captured. I truly want to enjoy the moment. I”m grateful for my phone but it’s done some harm.
YES! The perfect challenge going into the holidays!
It’s certainly something we should all try!
Thank you! Amen sister! Im guilty of having a screen in my face when I could be experiencing life. What a nice reminder to have a healthier relationship with our technology. In moderation, folks!
Becca, yes – we need to find moderation! I’m thankful to have my phone to capture moments but also want to make sure I’m truly experiencing life. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a good reminder! Thank you! I feel like there’s a slight amount of pressure with blogging and social media to capture the perfect, beautiful, full moments of life, but those moments always seem to be more enjoyable when the phone is put down and you can take everything in.
Tessa, I so agree with you about the pressure of blogging and social media. I’ve found myself thinking about what I should capture, what I should say. However, I also want to enjoy the moment. It takes practice to find a balance. So glad you stopped by.
Oh my gosh this post just hits home! Mostly because I am guilty of being that one who sticks the camera up when I really should just be letting my eyes do all the work! I always regret taking so many videos/pictures later too because they’re never the same as it is live anyway!
“Social media and the convenience of devices has made us each want to show the world what are doing. As a result, I believe we are experiencing less.” I just absolutely LOVE this! We want to show off what we’re doing, but as a result we’re going less- you are so right! Such a thought provoking statement. I absolutely accept your challenge and want to be more mindful of viewing life through my eyes instead of my phone screen during this holiday season! 🙂
I’m just a guilty as you at times! That’s part of what inspired this post. Since I started blogging I’m wanting to make sure my pictures are good and others are seeing what I am doing, but I also realized I was missing things. I can’t wait to hear how you do with the challenge!
This is such a good reminder for all of us, especially me! One thing Ioved about South America was our lack of internet, which means when I did have my phone in hand it was to read 🙂 I have a problem with feeling like I need to reply to people IMMEDIATELY, but I need to take a chill pill and realize that isn’t the case! thanks for this post!
Caroline, I know what you mean about the feeling to immediately respond to people. I receive emails from my students at all times and I’ve had to make myself set aside time to respond to emails all at once instead of when I’m in a restaurant or in my car. I’m sure the lack of internet was a relief at time on your vacation.
I really really like the fact that we can take digital pictures and video these days, I love looking at old pictures for the memories, but there’s definitely a point where it goes too far. I have never had a smartphone, so I think that I have an easy way out to not spend too much time distracted on my phone (it’s not easy to be distracted by a Nokia brick, haha!). I have never ever understood videorecording at concerts….usually it’s so dark that the quality of the recording turns out terrible, nothing nearly as good as the actual quality of the concert that you could have enjoyed! Ah well, in these days I think some people are more comfortable with a phone in their hands. There’s balance to be struck. I know that my mom wishes that she had more pictures of she and my dad when they were young, because they have very, very few photos together in the pre-digital camera days–but there’s also freedom in not being too attached to a camera in the digital generation, too!
Rachel, I do love the fact that I can take photos anytime I want and some of my favorite photographs are from my phone (or someone else’s). Before our phones, there were many moments that weren’t captured (as your Mom knows). I agree about finding the balance… our phones do become a crutch, something to look at while we wait or are bored,; however, I believe things are being missed that a photograph can’t capture.
Definitely something important to remember!
Thanks for stopping by Paula, We all just need to become more mindful.
I have been seeing this more and more, everywhere I go. People seem to find it easier to experience life through “social” media, instead of in person. Truly sad; and something I’m working on myself–being present and not having to share everything with “everyone”. Thanks for the reminder.
I will admit there are times I am also guilty of it but it is truly highlighted when you look around and it appears that everyone is more connected to their phones than each other.