A few months ago, on a bright Saturday afternoon, I joined a group of friends for a gathering. We played games, shared a meal and had good and edifying conversation.
I remember we stepped out that evening & together, we watched the sunset while in awe of its beautiful rays as the sun descended to the ends of the earth.
I could see the smiles on every one's face as we all marveled at this breathtaking sight from a far, and even more, the Creator of this beauty.
As the sun disappeared and it got dark, we still lingered at the balcony chattering about the street lights from a far, the chicken that were now running around the compound and the best of them being the jokes about the bumpy journey we had just made to this place. Through the numerous potholes, dusty and narrow roads yet we were still continuing ahead. Until we reached a steep and rocky climb where the person driving had to say, "Hold on tight for this one" as he drove on uphill to our destination.
It was a fun filled evening to say but the least. As we left, we walked down the steep slope where others had parked their cars. The car I was in had 6 people because we were headed towards the same direction.
As soon as the journey started, the silence in the car was deafening as all of us but one pulled out their phones. The person driving focused on the road while everyone else but one was trying to catch up with people on the other side of the world while forgetting about those immediate to them.
Everyone's head was buried in the light illuminating from their phones like there was urgent business on the other side of the screen.
At the mention of it, I felt embarrassed because I wasn't saving a life but scrolling through Instagram reels. This was not the first time. It was so easy for me to forget [ignore] everything happening around me and choose to catch up on twitter updates.
It dawned on me how at the touch of a button, we shut out the whole world and focus on the invisible. We have forgotten what it means to genuinely listen and respond with intent.
We prefer the smiles on tiktok and Instagram than those of our immediate neighbours.
And so we carry our phones to the toilet seat, to dates while having conversations, to the cafeteria, to our beds, to the shower and to the strangest of places, just to connect with the Internet while disconnecting with the real world.
Oh how I have been reminded, to be present. To be intentional. To sit still with my thoughts. To have conversation without hiding behind the screen. To create boundaries, especially with my phone.
I am also still struggling, but technology too can enable us keep our cravings out. It gets easier with time.
