Autumn Beaty

Checking In

It has been a long time since I have intentionally sat down to write. I most definitely miss it. I hope to write more often, so please check back. 

Life has changed a lot since I last posted. My pup is now almost two. She is a non-ending ball of energy.  But, we love her and try to keep up with her. 

A few updates: 

I switched jobs a couple months ago. 

My hubby is back in school, and working full time.

I still love photography, just don't get as much time to get out and take photos.  When I do get out with my camera, I seem to make up for lost time!! 

Life is busy. But, we try to take time to intentionally slow down and enjoy. Today, we hiked and enjoyed a beautiful waterfall, wildflowers, each other, and creation for two hours. It was a much needed hike next to the roaring water to help us unwind, breathe, disconnect, and remember that God is in control in this crazy world we live in.  Our bodies and souls need time to breathe, to relax, to be present, to enjoy the outdoors, to intentionally connect face to face with those in our lives, to get some exercise, and to laugh. 

Screen Disease

The other day, my husband and I were grabbing a coffee, sitting in the sun, and having a conversation. At the table next to us were two parents, with three children under the age of 9. Mom and dad were both staring at their phones, never speaking a word. No words, just staring at screens. The two older kids tried to talk to mom and dad about going for a bike ride or playing at the park, but they would not return their conversation. The youngest girl, probably 2, was deeply sucked in to a tablet, neck bent way over, not even knowing their was a real life around her. Not only is that sad that this little one is already addicted to the tablet, but it's a horrible thing for her body, her neck. My chiropractor told me he is seeing extremely high amounts of bulging discs in kids, all because of too much screen time. Those discs will affect them for the rest of their life. 

I see this scenario played out all the time. It's sad. It's an addiction, just like drugs, porn, alcohol. People are addicted to their phones and are making their kids the same way. Yes, I have a phone and tablet, and yes, I spend time on them, but I also intentionally put them away, and spend time with REAL people, face to face. 

Are you willing to reclaim your life, to really live life? THIS LIFE ISN'T A DRESS REHEARSAL! This is it. Once a day, a moment is gone, it's gone. Those moments you missed with your loved ones because you were staring at a screen can never be recaptured. At the end of your life, do you think you will look back and be happy how much time you spent staring at Facebook, Pinterest, Pokemon, Instagram, gaming, instead of sharing life and conversations with people, your loved ones, your friends, your family? 

Take time this weekend to disconnect. Fly a kite, go for a bike ride, build a fort, go fishing, watch a sunset, take a nap, have a water fight, laugh, go on a picnic, actually have a real face to face conversation with someone, go camping, shut the devices off and recapture your life! Your life will be much less stressed because you intentionally disconnect. I guarantee, nothing earth shattering will happen on FB that you will miss! However, if you don't look up, shut down, you are missing the beauty in creation around you, you are missing talking and laughing with your friends and family. This life is all there is on this side of eternity, don't waste it!