Simpler Times…December 6, 2013

Do you ever find yourself wanting to return to simpler times? If even for a week, a day or perhaps merely an hour? If so, what does that look like for you? I suppose this question is certainly affected by age as I wrestle with the question on most occasions when the world and its technology seem to have passed me by.

When I find a text takes longer to type (even by the Swype method) than if I simply made the call to verbally relay the message, I ask myself, “why do we do this?” Then I mull over the last time I received a letter or note in the mail penned by the sender or better yet, when was the last time I penned a letter and postmarked it to a recipient? When I ponder these questions, my thoughts stumble over life’s busyness issue. Do we get so engrossed in all there is to do that we only brush the surface of our lives rather than embrace the moments? Do we compromise relationship for time management? If so, I don’t want to be that person.

I recently walked through an antique store only to have my eyes behold one of those old, heavy black phones where the handpiece sat firmly on the top of the telephone, the dialer ring was metal and each number had a hole where you placed your finger and mustered enough finger strength to turn the dialer seven times. You know, the kind where too many nine or zero digits in the phone number gave your forefinger super power status?! In fact, I remember well seeing cheaters use a No.2 pencil to do their dialing! My grandparents had this particular kind of phone and they also had a chair which accompanied it where you sat down and found yourself permanently attached by a two foot phone cord during the duration of your phone conversation. Imagine that! We dialed a phone, held a conversation and found ourselves indefinitely stationery. There was even furniture created which served as phone stations. Can you envision this today? Sitting completely idle. In conversation. Barely a distraction to be had; it was a time where you actually focused on the person and gave undivided attention to the topic you were discussing.

I’ve posed questions through this post. Ponder them well. Sacrificing the qualities which build relationships at the expense of merely checking off another box on the to-do list of life is short-sighted at best. Take time to be idle and make a call or have a conversation where you give someone else your undivided attentions. Make the time to send someone a handwritten note of gratitude, encouragment or support. Never underestimate the gift or your time and slowed pace for another. It may seem all too simple, but stepping back in time to simpler days and finding the value in simpler times….. offers lessons for our future.

Author Details

Tammy

How to describe oneself is not an easy task despite the fact I often hear I have a penchant for writing. To try and encapsulate myself into a few sentences is challenging at best since I am filled with a heart for constant curiosity and the desire to keep learning. I take great delight in most all outdoor activities... especially those which involve hiking or being around the water. Camping in our pop-up or in a tent is always an invitation to discovery which I cannot turn down. A 'memory collector' is how I'd label myself, largely because I have this unending zest for life... I don't want to miss a thing! I love surprises, love to laugh and I get the biggest kick out of being married. I adore animals and my favorite happens to be a precious Golden Doodle named Zoe who came into my life as my 40th birthday present and has been the biggest gift that keeps on giving!! Sunflowers make me instantly smile and traveling makes my heart pound with excitement. Fortunate and very blessed to have traveled many places, my all-time favorite is the land of my ancestors, Ireland. Ireland calls me by name and beckons me to exploration like no other place I've been. And speaking of that, researching my ancestry has been a fun endeavor which often takes me down rabbit hole after rabbit hole as I seek to unveil mysteries of the past. Hanging out or traveling with friends is another area which I derive great joy from... and purposely nurturing friendships through cooking meals, entertaining or planning events gets my creative juices flowing. Once again.... it's that making memories thing! Beyond that, I could list a thousand things I find interesting, stimulating and feel so blessed to experience, indulge or simply wish for the day I get to investigate with a feverish glee. That's me!

Leave A Comment?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.