Are you a tech junkie?

*Ring* *Ring*

"Hello?"

Ah, instant gratification.

Technology is great. Isn't it? There is just something about being able to pick up your own personal phone, log into your e-mail, sign into Facebook and instantly be connected with friends, family, colleagues, and complete strangers. There are so many perks to having the ability to stay in touch with all those you love (and those you don't love quite so much). But when does all this technology become a crutch?

Sometimes I physically have to remove myself from the computer, otherwise I get sucked into hours of checking my e-mail ("Really? Nobody has e-mailed me anything in the past twenty minutes? How can that be?!"), "Facebooking" (yes, in society nowadays it is everyday vernacular), or who-knows-what, and suddenly three hours of the day have been lost to cyberspace.

But it's not just the internet. It's my cell phone, the TV, video games, so on and so forth. I feel the urge to check and answer as soon as possible any text message I receive. I get so excited when my phone tells me somebody has thought about me. There are times when I hold up a finger during mid-conversation with somebody in the room to answer a phone call. Wait a second, don't I have a thing called "voicemail"? Therein lies the rub.

Although I quite enjoy living in the age of instant connection, immediate answers, and constant contact, there comes a point where I need to disconnect. Sometimes I need to remind myself that while the convenience is there, I don't have to rely on it. It will, theoretically (barring any apocalypses or severe power outages), still  be there when I need it.

Let voicemail pick up the phone call. If the person is important enough, they will leave a message. Or they'll call back twenty times in a row so that you know it's urgent (or maybe they're just annoying, in which case it's even better to not answer!). Turn off the TV and go for a walk or sit on the deck and sip a cup of coffee or go talk to your neighbor. Shut down the computer and actually play a board game or read a book.

In this day and age, I think we sometimes forget what life actually sounds like without the whirring of computers or some random song-melody emitting from a cellphone. Not that we need to delve back into the dark ages, but it would certainly be a nice feeling to go into a public bathroom and use it without having my business be privy (pun intended) to eleven other people who aren't even there because the people in the other stalls are talking on their cell phones! One of these days, I'm bringing in a whoopee cushion.

Enjoy technology and its usefulness. It's there; it's great; it's convenient. But remember to take a break and reconnect with the real world. Every now and then I open my mailbox and find a postcard from my dad when he's been on a business trip or a card from a good friend or a twelve-page letter from my great aunt. Now that is much more personal and exciting than any quick sugar-rush e-mails.

Life is all about balance. Technology is fascinating. It changes daily, which is a phenomenal thing. It can certainly makes our lives better. But do yourself a favor and disconnect every once in a while. Go without a cell phone or a computer or a TV for a week, even just a day or so. Honestly, it feels good.

(End note: I have written a personal essay on this subject. If anybody is interested in reading that, please let me know and I will send you a copy.)