This I Believe

I am grateful for technology.  I am thankful that while I am physically in Philadelphia I am able to have pieces of myself scattered throughout America.  I am grateful for funny people.  And for people who gently remind me to put God first through their own thoughts and actions.  I am grateful for snapchat.  

I saw my Twin Cities community the other day through a snapchat from my former PC who is in MN for his Fall area visit.  I saw the three of them together smiling at me through my phone, and I was reminded of how much I love them.  Upon seeing those three people, there was some unnecessary happy shouting.   

The Fall area visit for Philadelphia is in full swing, and last night was Spirituality Night in the Thomas Merton House.  We discussed beliefs.  I think the 6 of us melted a little while listening to this child’s list of 100 beliefs. 

http://www.npr.org/about/press/2009/011509.SevenYearOldTIB.html 

I've been keeping this in the back of my mind while at work today, and a few more thoughts popped into my head.  I believe in being present to the people I am with.  I believe that pieces of me are scattered across the country, tied up with the people I have come to appreciate and love.  I believe that sometimes all you can have with people are small moments through technology.  I am beginning to believe that technology may have some value for maintaining relationships, instead of being a distraction from the people I am with.  I believe this because I know I must have both feet on the ground in Philadelphia literally and metaphorically.  I believe people from my past experiences are important to keep with me.  As a result I've accepted the small sense of defeat  that has accompanied the reintroduction of my iPhone into my life.  I believe smartphones might not be as destructive as I previously thought.  However, I believe that people are capable of maintaining connections through more than just phones.  

I believe in the strength of letters.  I am certain I will continue to have circular, conflicting thoughts regarding my iPhone use.  I believe technology can be constructive.  But sometimes it's best to kick it old school.

Twin Cities:  keep checking your mail.