Technology

Last week's blog "Eight Days Without the Internet" made me stop and think about technology in general...ALL technology.  We have come such a long way technologically speaking, in such a short time.  I don't know if that's a good thing or not.  It just is what it is.  I kind of have a love/hate relationship with it.

My youngest son and his girlfriend live in California.  My husband and I live in Pennsylvania.  Technology - the Internet specifically - has made it possible to "see" and "visit" with them weekly, sometimes more often.  Also, the technology of the airlines makes it possible for us to go west to visit them once a year and for them to come east to visit us once a year.  If we had to drive (technology) or go by train (technology) we'd probably only do that a few times in a lifetime.  If we had to go by horse and buggy, we'd probably never see them again.

I can call family and friends at any time and find out how they're doing.  Both of my sisters live in other states.  Two of my best friends also live in other states.  But via phone and Internet we can communicate and keep up with what is going on in each other's lives and our family's lives.

My other two children and their families live in our area but on opposite ends of the city.  Again, we can call at any time to see how they're doing and what is going on.

These are things I LOVE about technology.  But there's also a down side.

I absolutely can't stand it when I'm visiting with or having lunch with someone and they're distracted by phone calls or texts.  An emergency is one thing, but most often it's just frivolous chit-chat.  I either don't answer and let who ever is calling leave a message.  Or I answer, tell them I'm visiting with someone and I'll call them later.  I want the person or people I'm with to know that they're important to me.  I'd like the same consideration in return.

As I was driving home from my daughter's house the other night, I saw two friends walking together.  They both had a phone up to their ears talking to other people.  Really?!!

A year and a half ago our computer system at work crashed.  The back-up reports said we were backing up successfully, but when we went to retrieve the information there was nothing there.  The good news was we GOT to start from scratch.  The bad news was we HAD to start from scratch.  It took six month, a typewriter, lots of technical support, and lots of overtime to get us up, running and back to some kind of normalcy.  Obviously it's easier and much more efficient to be computerized - LOVE.  But when something like this happens - HATE.

I remember my dad telling a story about how when he was young there weren't many cars around.  He and some friends were playing and one of his friends got hit by a car.  Cars didn't go very fast then and his friend wasn't hurt badly.  But the kids' reactions were, "Did you see that car?"  In dad's lifetime, he went from barely any cars to a man on the moon.  Amazing!

When I think about how far we've come just in my lifetime, it's mind boggling.  I remember the first cruise my husband and I took.  We bought phone cards so we could call and check up on the kids.  Phone cards were "high tech" at that time... better than a roll of quarters.  Now everyone has cell phones.  When I was in school, it was paper and pens.  We were thrilled to send my two oldest children off to college with electric typewriters.  My youngest son went to college with a desktop computer.  NOW my eldest grandson has a laptop, an ipad, and a smart phone.  I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like for my younger grandchildren.

Like I said, I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with technology.  I guess that if you can keep it in perspective and not become obsessed with it, it can be a great tool for keeping in touch.  I'm saying this as I'm typing on my laptop and have been on the computer for the last hour...

Love,  Paula

8 Days Without The Internet

In my blog "The Day Without a Computer" dated 11/26/12, I talked about a day without my computer. Well, let me tell you about my EIGHT days without the internet.  That's right, I said EIGHT DAYS WITHOUT THE INTERNET!!!!!  Our provider apparently had a huge problem that affected the whole city.  We called them several times throughout the eight days.  Three of the four times I called, the man on the other end of the line simply told us that they were experiencing a problem, the technical team was aware of it, and we would receive a recorded call when the problem was resolved.  After three days, we did receive a recorded call that the problem was corrected and if we still had a problem we should call the number they gave us.  We still had a problem.  I called the number.  The man at the other end said they were experiencing a problem, the tech team was aware of it, and we would receive a recorded call when the problem was corrected.  I told him that we did in fact receive a call.  He told us to reboot the system.  I assured him that we already did that.  He told us to keep trying.  That was all the help we got.

On the eighth day I called again.  This time I was less than pleasant.  This time I was not exactly understanding.  I was connected with a woman from the Philippines instead of a man from India.  She was so helpful and patient.  She stayed with us for 50 minutes and walked us through every task.  She got us up and running.  I have to wonder, if we talked to her originally could this all have been resolved a week earlier than it was?

Well, now that I've vented, I'm wondering what the lessons in all of this are... I believe there are always lessons.  Sarcastically I'd say, "If you want to get the job done, make sure you talk to a woman."  Or, be unpleasant at the start.  Or maybe the citizens of the Philippines have a better work ethic than those of India.

Seriously though, the real lessons are probably patience, persistence and the realization that the world goes on whether you have Internet or not.  You can still work.  You can still play.  You can still eat and sleep.  You can still connect with people.  Amazing as it sounds, life still goes on and is still worth living.  I'm glad to know that, but I've got to say... I prefer life with the Internet.

Love,  Paula

Aware

We often go through life on "auto-pilot".  You know what I mean.  We're like a bunch of little robots running around doing things.  Always DOING.  We often don't remember to live or to just be.  It's always do, do, do.  Sometimes we're not even aware of what we're doing or why we're doing it.  It's sad.  We miss so much.

I am on a personal quest to be more aware and live more consciously.  I'm striving to live in the "now" moment.  And I'm here to tell you that it's not always easy.  It's so much easier to go back to the old habit of being the robot.  BUT...it's so much more rewarding to live in the "now" moment.

The other day I had a lunch date with some old friends.  I left work and was driving to meet them in my robotic state.  All of a sudden my awareness kicked in.  It was like someone flipped a switch.  Instantly I was seeing the beauty that was all around me.  Trees were blossoming in many different shades of pinks and whites.  Gardens were filled with color;  red and pink tulips, yellow daffodils, purple, pink and white hyacinths, white lily-of-the-valley, yellow forsythia, pink, purple, red and white azalea.  It was everywhere and it was wonderful!  Such beauty and I almost missed it.  Robot Paula would have missed the whole thing.  Aware Paula got to see, absorb and appreciate the beauty. 

So...which are you?  Are you robot or aware?  Strive for aware.  It makes life so much fuller.

Love,  Paula

It's ALL a Gift

I often talk about the gifts in life.  Big and small, they're everywhere.  We just have to train ourselves to look for them... to SEE them.

The other night there was a full moon.  We had a clear night sky so it was shining brilliantly.  My husband was at a meeting.  When he was on his way home he called me to make sure I got out to see it.  That was two gifts for me:  1.  The beautiful full moon; and  2.  My husband appreciating it enough to call me so I could see it too.  Obviously the moon is there for everyone.  But I wonder how many people took the time to go outside, stand there for awhile and appreciate that beautiful gift.

My neighbors have an above ground pool.  Every year before they open the pool, a couple of ducks use the water on the cover to mate and eventually train their ducklings to swim.  When they're big enough, the mother takes the babies to a pond at a nearby college campus.  What a gift to be able to watch this process every year.

Garth Brooks said, "You aren't wealthy until you have something money can't buy."  If you can look at life from a different perspective you'll realize that we ALL have something money can't buy.  We're All abundant... we're ALL wealthy.

I read, "Most people wake up expecting the same thing as the day before.  Wake up expecting something different, incredible, wonderful."  Maybe that's what people are doing wrong.  I think we need to train ourselves to look at things differently... to EXPECT the different, incredible, and wonderful.  We need to appreciate our world and everything in it.  It's ALL a gift.

Love,  Paula

Still Loving Life

In last week's blog I wrote about how great life is, how everything was going so well, how I was loving life.  Then on Monday - the day I posted the blog - the bombs in Boston happened.  Then the poisoned letters were detected.  Then the explosion at the West, Texas fertilizer facility.  Then the M.I.T. shooting.  Then back to Boston/Watertown with the shoot out and killing of one of the suspects in the bombing, and the search for and apprehension of the other suspect.  THEN the earthquake in China.  So much misery, so much suffering, so much loss of life.  NOW WHAT?!  Did this change my outlook?  Did this change my happiness?  I have to say, this certainly challenged my belief system... briefly.

I believe that happiness is a choice.  It's something you decide to be, to feel.  It has nothing to do with what is going on around you or outside of you.  It has to do with what's going on inside of you.  It's about how you choose to process information.  I still choose happiness.  I choose to believe in the goodness of humanity.

I am so sorry for all the people who were injured in any of the above mentioned events and for their families.  My heart, compassion and prayers go out to all of them for as long as they need it.  But did you see how wonderful people have been?  Ordinary people stepped up and did extraordinary things when it was needed.  It's a situation I hope none of us ever have to face.  But when these ordinary people were faced with it, they became heroes.  They performed heroic acts without ever giving it a thought.  A lot of the stories haven't even been told yet.  Some may never be told.

These were big events... national news.  But I see things like this happening all the time.  I live in the North Eastern United States.  We get snow... LOTS of snow.  All winter when cars get stuck in the snow, complete strangers will stop and help push or dig them out.  That's just one example.  People are basically good.  Sure there are a few strays that can make you think otherwise.  But think about this: the Boston bombings were apparently accomplished by TWO people.  But hundreds if not thousands of people have responded with love, compassion and help of all kinds.

Fred Rogers said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would tell me to look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping."  I've seen that and I believe that.  The goodness of humanity is amazing and I'm STILL loving life.

Love,  Paula

Loving Life

I am so enjoying my life.  I can't even explain why exactly.  I'm just happy.  Of course I have a wonderful family.  I have a beautiful home.  I have great friends.  Life is going well.  My life has always been good, but lately I've just been so excited.  Every day I wake up with a feeling of anticipation.  I can't wait to see how the day is going to unfold.  I can't wait to see what surprises and gifts are coming my way.  And I'm never disappointed.

The thing is, I don't think the things around me have changed that much.  I believe it's me that has changed.  I'm trying to consciously choose to see the good, positive, uplifting things in life.  I'm choosing to see, acknowledge, and be grateful for the miracles that are happening all around me - big and small.

Oscar Wilde said, "To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people exist, that is all."  Maybe that's what has been going on.  Maybe - after 62 years of life - I've FINALLY discovered how to live instead of just exist.  Whatever the difference is, I'm loving life!

Love,  Paula

Happy Spring!

We are having the most beautiful day.  It's March 30th - Holy Saturday.  As I'm writing this, the thermometer outside my kitchen window is reading 78 degrees.  Now I know that is not the official temperature.  Right now that thermometer is in the sun.  But regardless of the official temp, IT'S ONE GORGEOUS DAY!

 
 It's one of those days where you really feel like doing some spring cleaning... and I did.  I cleaned and rearranged the grand kid's playroom.  That's something I've been thinking about for awhile, but I just couldn't get motivated.  This weather motivated me.  All the windows in the house are open.
My daffodils are blooming.  My husband washed my car and his truck.  I washed the door jams.  My husband took his first motorcycle ride of the season.

It just feels so good to be outside again.  It's finally feeling like spring.  It's that wonderful time of the year when we all start moving from indoors to out.  We're like butterflies emerging from the cocoon of winter to the freedom of spring and summer.  The sun is shining, birds are chirping and all is right with the world.

Happy Spring!

Love, Paula