Unplugged Challenge: Put down your mobile device

Lemon Cheesecake
with Raspberries

Recently I stumbled upon an article in the New York Times on the idea that culturally we're disengaged from being in the moment. I originally thought it was going to be an article on how cool it is to document your life. Although it didn't take that spin on things it was inspiring enough to bring attention to how to create space in your life to stay connected to those around you in real time, in the real moment, face-to-face...like our grandparents and parents did.

On New Year's Eve, my husband (Dr. Bitar) and I (remember, we're married) went to dinner and spent a lovely 2 full hours talking, eating, and only picked up our phones to take a photo to, well, document the evening. Just look at that dessert. Could you blame us?

Reflecting on that evening, we concluded that being in the moment together was a lost art and a lost joy. Conversation was engrossing, especially when there was no "ding" sounding from our phones to distract or interrupt us. I loved it! Being unplugged was awesome.

Cultivating Gratitude: Take the 1 month challenge

It's not uncommon to list the things you are grateful for around Thanksgiving time...but that's still a few months away. Why wait until then?

Recently we've been thinking about adding on to our home. We went so far as to hire an architect, a structural engineer, and interview local contractors. We got down to the wire and sat across from a mortgage broker before it hit us...why the rush? We haven't even been in our home a year and we're making plans to add space?! What happened to being completely in love and over-joyed about our new place?

Gratitude Journal iTunes app

I use that example to illustrate the human desire that stirs within all of us at some point in time to not be satisfied, to want more, and to overlook the current day-to-day joys. That part of us begins to compare ourselves to what others have or the misguided belief that, "...if I just had...I would be so much more happy..." There's no judgment here, it is what it is and as humans, we all experience it one time or another. Furthermore, this post is not to minimize the real struggles that each one of us may face on a daily basis. However, I write this to highlight part of our human nature that causes dissatisfaction. Additionally, it's a part of our lives that paired with deliberate focus, we can combat just by changing our perspective.