New Year = New Me

Happy New Year! I cannot believe we are in the year 2012. When I was younger (middle school age), I remember thinking we would never hit 2012.  I figured by then, the Second Coming would be here.  That seemed like only a few years ago, when in reality it was over 15+ years ago.  I also thought if we made it to 2012, that we would be living in a world like the cartoon, The Jetsons.  Although, we haven't reached the "Jetson Era" yet, I do believe that one day we will.  Maybe by then I will be dead or the Second Coming will be here.
I miss life when it used to be so simple.  I miss when you could go play outside all day & not worry about being kidnapped.  I really have a hard time letting my own children go outside unless I am out there with them.  I have fond memories of playing "make believe" with my siblings.  Part of my childhood, I grew up in Morgan, & we had a big yard to play in.  I remember playing "The Boxcar Children" (Anyone remember that book series?) and playing it all day long! I also remember playing barbies, house & school.  My sister was ALWAYS the teacher.  I remember riding bikes all day long.  Our yard was so much fun! It was surrounded in trees, so we always were using our imagination.  I miss that so much! I still see kids play "make believe", but it isn't what it used to be.  My own daughter, rather play computer games or the Wii, or play an app on my iPod or her sisters iPad, than play with her barbies or dolls.  It's really frustrating.  I often question myself & wonder if Dave & I did this to her.  I miss when there were no cell phones, no internet, no computers. Back then, computers were only for schools or businesses. Handwritten reports were okay if you didn't have a typewriter or computer.  We would go to the library and actually research books & files to do our reports.  Now you can get on the computer & search the internet for anything you are looking for.  You can copy, paste, & print just by the click of a button. I'm not going to lie, it is convenient. There was no such things as an iPod, iPad, iTunes, text messaging, instant messaging, Twitter, Facebook, email etc. You see more people failing school or failing life just because of these silly techy things.  People can be really lazy when it comes to technology.  They no longer want to succeed in their education or life. They rather sit and surf the internet, play video games, or watch tv.  They are so caught up in the technology world than their own real life.  Believe me, I have caught myself numerous of times wasting time on the computer. I will go and look at one thing, and then 4 hours later wonder what the heck I have been doing.  I wasted so much time; Time I could have spent playing with my darlings, or cleaning, or reading a good book, or exercising, or serving others, or studying up on my religious beliefs.  I know I am not the only one that feels this way.  I am hoping if I admit my problem, I will be able to fix it. :)
There is good that comes from all the technology; without it, we wouldn't be where we are today.  I am grateful for the technologies that are used in the medical field. We would see a lot more people sick or dieing, if there was no technology.  I'm grateful for technology, because we are able to reunite with family & friends that we lost touch with or had no idea how to find them.  There is much good from technology, I just feel we get lost in the unnecessary things that it has to offer.  What ever happened to calling someone on the phone & having an actual conversation? It drives me crazy that text messaging is the only way to communicate, or even instant messaging or email.  I find it odd.  I think people don't know how to interact socially or face to face anymore because of these things.
I am grateful that there are devices out there that can help my daughter who has special needs.  There are so many awesome devices, equipment, apps out there that can help the special needs community.  I owe that thanks to technology. I do not hate that technology has benefited my daughter tremendously.
So as you see, I have a love/hate relationship with technology.  I find it fascinating and yet, deceiving!  I'm sure some of you are wondering why I wrote this post.  Well, I am writing this in hopes that it may help me have better judgement with my time & my life.  I am setting a goal to spend less time on the computer (facebook especially) & more time enjoying my beautiful family and life, and all it has to offer.  I am not pulling the plug on facebook or technology, but, I am going to try and prioritize.  Family comes first.  At night, when my children are in bed, and I have nothing else to do, then I will surf the net. But I am going to find the "NEW ME" that I like & enjoy my life more because of it.  Life is too short. Time is too fast. The older I get, the faster it goes.  I challenge you to find a balance in your life & spend more time with the ones you love and less time doing unnecessary things.