Since being accepted to the race it’s never been a question about whether or not to bring my cell phone. I mean, why wouldn’t I? It’s small, has a great camera, has my music and pictures from home on it and I can use it to check email and whatnot when we have wifi. Perfect. As the time to leave has gotten closer I’ve started questioning that decision…One because I’m already bringing my computer and then I have my iPod, and I’m taking my camera…but still, what’s one more little thing, right? Instead of lugging all of those around town with me, I could leave them wherever we’re staying and just bring my phone, kill all those birds with one electronic. When I got to training camp I was still questioning and trying to decide what to do, I was still very much on the fence about it. During our first session one of the leaders challenged everyone to put our phones away for the duration of camp so that we could be present and focused.
At first it was frustrating because I didn’t have a watch with me, how was I supposed to know what time it was, when to wake up and when to be at different sessions or activities? I always use my phone for that stuff, what was I going to do without it? Then I wanted to take pictures with it, but how could that happen if it was tucked away in my tent all week? Finally, I decided just to go with it…mostly because there wasn’t anywhere to charge it and I was already down to 53%. As the week went on I realized that while I did have to count on others around me to forever be answering my “what time is it” and “when were we supposed to be somewhere” questions, I didn’t really NEED my phone. Everyone else had cameras and watches and alarms and we all counted on each other to help out those of us who didn’t have them. I’ll admit, I did finally give in to checking my messages around day 7 and skimming Facebook for a few minutes before putting it away again. When I did that though I noticed that I became more withdrawn from my squad, I went into my own little world for that time and took my attention away from those around me.
A few days later when camp ended, a group of us got together and went to Atlanta. We were sitting in a friends living room and I was on my phone checking some things when I looked up and looked around at everyone else…every single one of us was on our phones in our own little worlds, completely oblivious to everyone around us. We were sitting in community but not actually participating in it. Throughout the rest of the day we would be doing something and one or more would get a text and in the middle of conversations we would stop and check it which made us lose focus on our here and now. I’m guilty of doing that multiple times since camp…my phone has been attached to me and I keep catching myself getting lost and not living in the moment. I don’t want to be like that. I want to be focused. I want to live in the moment. I want to be able to give my full attention to those around me. I want to spend time with the sweet kids I’m with and not be wondering when my wifi will finally find a connection so I can see what’s new on Facebook. SO! I’ve finally made a decision and I’m actually really excited about what will come of it.
I’ve decided to leave my cell phone at home for the year. I’ve decided to be intentional…in my relationships with my team, my squad, and those I’m doing ministry with. I’ve decided to be present, to live in the moment, to step away from the temptation to be constantly connected. I’ve decided to stop using my phone and Facebook, Snapchat, etc, as an escape from life happening around me. I am going to be present and I am going to face head on what’s going on around me. Yeah there will be times I will miss my phone and that quick escape from reality, but I think in the long run it’s what is best for me, for my relationships with the lovely ladies and awesome men that I will be living life with, and for the people I’m going to be ministering to with my team. It’s going to be hard, but when else in my life will it be possible to go a year without a cell phone? It’s now or never and I’m taking that challenge head on.
If you’re a future racer whose trying to decide whether or not to bring yours, consider what I said, how does it apply to you? Will you be easily distracted by the goings on happening at home? Do you think it will be something that will draw you away from community and the present here and now? If so, would you consider investing your complete time and attention on those that are physically around you? I know that everyone has different situations, maybe you really do need to keep in touch with people at home, that’s ok, don’t think that those who don’t bring theirs will judge you, because they shouldn’t. But if that isn’t your situation, would you consider unplugging for a year? I challenge you to take this challenge to heart and prayerfully consider doing it with me and so many others. I think it will be worth it.
