For some reason I find it difficult to think about how my daughter Claire may not ever know about a ‘home phone’ or a pay phone. Cell phones have changed us forever. It took me years and years to finally get a cell phone. I waited until I graduated college. Ironically my parents were the ones that wanted me to have one more than anybody else. Back in the day you could get a phone line with good old SBC (formerly Southwestern Bell, formerly AT&T, formerly some other names). My thought about it at the time was that if I’m out of the house, then I’m out doing something with other people, and I don’t want to be talking on the phone. Needless to say I changed, but how could I not?

Cell phones are possibly the center of our existence now, even when we don’t want them to be. Before bed, there have been many times I’ve played a game on my phone before I fall asleep. When I first wake up, sometimes I click on my phone to quickly check my mail or watch some MLB highlights. We answer our phones during meals. We do a quick search on the internet when we are out with friends and want to know the facts about something. When I walk from my car to my office (just one block), it’s assured that I will see someone using their phone on the street or on the elevator. We are all culprits.

It’s difficult for me to think about. I love the fact that we’ve technologically figured out how to connect ourselves to instant communication and information. I love the fact that we can call anyone from anywhere in time of emergency. And it’s even more amazing that I can call my brother in California and talk to him via video on phone. But has the cell phone taken over our lives and our thoughts to a fault? I think so. We don’t really plan as much anymore. We just say, “I’ll text you the location of where we’re meeting” instead of making the decision right then and there. We maybe aren’t as present as we used to be with those around us. We are more impatient than ever about needing to know something immediately.

Many people may disagree with me. This could just be a self reflection of how I think I need to change. Or maybe I’m not embracing the technology enough. Or possibly I am sad for some reason that we are in a world where we are so reliant on a piece of technology. I don’t know. I do believe though that it’s something we should think about and consider.