By the time my daughter picked me up at my destination, the cell phone mystery had been solved: I left it at home when I put it down on the kitchen counter to hang up my keys before leaving. WIthout the worry of having lost it, I have had a wonderful few days without it. I can’t call home and no one can call me. No phone conversations while shopping, riding to the beach, or visiting with my daughter.
Since nothing drastic has happened, I feel no need to communicate with folks back home. One advantage to not having a cell phone is the ability to be unavailable. Years ago, I wrote a column about the dangers of being available all day, every day. What was once a novelty has become a necessity. I have heard people complain when the person they want to call does not answer.
“Why have a cell phone if you don’t answer it?” they ask. I know another person who turns off her cell phone for part of every day.
“Sometimes, I want to be by myself. At other times, I am busy with something and don’t want to be interrupted.”
That might be considered rude by many. Not me. Technology can control us instead of the other way around. One can be exhausted by receiving and responding to phone and text messages.
My week without a cell phone has been a gift. Since I am one who usually answers the phone whenever it rings, or can think of reasons to call someone else, I have been better able to be present to the moment.
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