"Modern life is remarkable, but we're still human beings with basic human needs. We need real community. We need satisfying and compelling work. We need health, play, love and companionship. A century of remarkable technological advances can't undo the millions of years of evolution that have made us who we are... ~Moby (from my Starbucks cup... "The Way I See It #56)    

Good morning! First off today, I have to share with you the adventure of today's quote.

Returning home from one of my trips, I landed at the Milwaukee airport and my first stop before baggage claim (as always) was the coffee stand. Later, on the drive back from the airport my colleague and I stopped to grab some bottled water. She tried to throw away our two coffee cups to make room for the water in her car-drink holders.

She looked a bit confused when I grabbed the cup and yelled, "No, I need that!" She has learned not to question some of my silly behaviors--I think she just chalks them up to my creativity.

Then I got home and set my empty cup on the kitchen island. An hour or two later, I went to retrieve it to write today's message-- but it was nowhere to be found.

I cornered my husband. "Where is the cup?" He also looked at me a bit strangely and then told me it was in the garbage. I rolled my eyes as if that was a crazy place to put an empty, coffee-stained-disposable cup. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve it.

As you can tell, I was rather attached to this quote! I love how it speaks so clearly to who we are when we strip away all the technology of daily life. Many of our technological advances, designed to make life easier, also take away from the core of the life we have known. Video games detract our children from nature; cell phones detract us from those around us when a call comes in; email can be a great communication tool--but it can also become a way to avoid the phone. While the gifts of technology are great we have to make sure they do not take away from our core needs and the core of who we are.

Your turn:
Today, I challenge you to evaluate the technology and communications that you and your family use. Think of one way that they detract versus enhance your daily life and then make a commitment to change.

Your affirmation:
Every day I communicate in a healthy way with those whom I care about.
 

Challenge Life!

Brook Noel