Sometimes I feel I am too trusting of a person. When that trust is broken by a stranger it's almost as if I'm finding out Santa doesn't exist all over again. "You mean people don't always return things when they find them?!?!"
It's heartbreaking every time, and though I have learned to be more careful and not trust humanity, sometimes things still happen. As most people reading this may know I recently lost my wallet and phone. Yes, I should be more careful and pay attention to where I place things. Yes, if there is a wallet laying around most people will take it and not think twice. Needless to say I was distraught and kept searching everywhere I could think and finally gave up. I started thinking about a variety of large world topics such as the honesty of people and our attachment to "things" as a society. It was just like when I lost my new Ipod mini all over again. I left it behind in a classroom, in a pencil case, at the end of the day, on a Friday. Never. Saw. It. Again. I thought for sure it would still be there and that good karma would be on my side, but I realized that maybe it had nothing to do with karma but a test of how much I am attached to my stuff even though I try and deny it.
On the topic of getting to know myself better I began to realize that I have fallen trap to consumerism as most of the world has. I was devastated because I had no cell phone to connect me to the world. Yes, I was upset about my credit card and my license but cancel the card and I can easily replace the license. A cell phone though, has become more like a growth attached to me. Even though I was on vacation, camping at my family cabin that doesn't even have electricity or running water, I felt a piece of me was missing without my cell phone. When I gave up (with the help of my amazing partner who reminded me there was nothing left to do and I might as well enjoy myself) I almost felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. You mean I can survive without my cell phone on me 24/7?? Well of course! It helped me realize how spoiled we are in the western world and perhaps this loss was just a reminder to bring me back to my morals and values of a simple life.
I always think I'd be happy living in a cabin in the woods, off the grid, with only communication for emergencies. That life style still appeals to me but I think it would be much different than I imagine. I think I would still feel the need for a cell phone to keep in touch with people close to me, and it's the people I care about after all, that cell phones help bring me closer to. Especially living far enough away from my closest friends and family that I need some way of communicating.
Ok I'm rambling. My point though, is that when I got the call this morning (or rather when my mom got the call because I didn't have a phone) that my phone and wallet were found, I was ecstatic. BUT, a few days away from my cell phone didn't kill me. It didn't even drastically alter my life because I still had a laptop where I had all of the numbers saved, I still had a phone to call people if I needed (Through my man or my parents), and I still had a bank card left in my purse that I could access money if I needed it. I preach this life of disconnection and simplicity but perhaps I am the biggest hypocrite of them all. In my last post I did say I would limit my time on the internet to 30 minutes and that's a start, but the biggest thing is to constantly remind myself of what is really important in life. What brings me most joy is not the pointless hours spent looking at a screen, or playing phone games or updating my blog. It's connection with people. Of course I am also a realist and know that I won't ever completely cut myself off because that's just the reality of today's world. I will however spend more time on my bicycle, playing my guitar, and reading books than browsing facebook, pinterest, and email. I will spend more time talking on the phone with friends and family who are far away than playing with my phone like a mini computer.
It's heartbreaking every time, and though I have learned to be more careful and not trust humanity, sometimes things still happen. As most people reading this may know I recently lost my wallet and phone. Yes, I should be more careful and pay attention to where I place things. Yes, if there is a wallet laying around most people will take it and not think twice. Needless to say I was distraught and kept searching everywhere I could think and finally gave up. I started thinking about a variety of large world topics such as the honesty of people and our attachment to "things" as a society. It was just like when I lost my new Ipod mini all over again. I left it behind in a classroom, in a pencil case, at the end of the day, on a Friday. Never. Saw. It. Again. I thought for sure it would still be there and that good karma would be on my side, but I realized that maybe it had nothing to do with karma but a test of how much I am attached to my stuff even though I try and deny it.
On the topic of getting to know myself better I began to realize that I have fallen trap to consumerism as most of the world has. I was devastated because I had no cell phone to connect me to the world. Yes, I was upset about my credit card and my license but cancel the card and I can easily replace the license. A cell phone though, has become more like a growth attached to me. Even though I was on vacation, camping at my family cabin that doesn't even have electricity or running water, I felt a piece of me was missing without my cell phone. When I gave up (with the help of my amazing partner who reminded me there was nothing left to do and I might as well enjoy myself) I almost felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. You mean I can survive without my cell phone on me 24/7?? Well of course! It helped me realize how spoiled we are in the western world and perhaps this loss was just a reminder to bring me back to my morals and values of a simple life.
I always think I'd be happy living in a cabin in the woods, off the grid, with only communication for emergencies. That life style still appeals to me but I think it would be much different than I imagine. I think I would still feel the need for a cell phone to keep in touch with people close to me, and it's the people I care about after all, that cell phones help bring me closer to. Especially living far enough away from my closest friends and family that I need some way of communicating.
Ok I'm rambling. My point though, is that when I got the call this morning (or rather when my mom got the call because I didn't have a phone) that my phone and wallet were found, I was ecstatic. BUT, a few days away from my cell phone didn't kill me. It didn't even drastically alter my life because I still had a laptop where I had all of the numbers saved, I still had a phone to call people if I needed (Through my man or my parents), and I still had a bank card left in my purse that I could access money if I needed it. I preach this life of disconnection and simplicity but perhaps I am the biggest hypocrite of them all. In my last post I did say I would limit my time on the internet to 30 minutes and that's a start, but the biggest thing is to constantly remind myself of what is really important in life. What brings me most joy is not the pointless hours spent looking at a screen, or playing phone games or updating my blog. It's connection with people. Of course I am also a realist and know that I won't ever completely cut myself off because that's just the reality of today's world. I will however spend more time on my bicycle, playing my guitar, and reading books than browsing facebook, pinterest, and email. I will spend more time talking on the phone with friends and family who are far away than playing with my phone like a mini computer.
Haha that laughing baby made my day! And I'm glad you got your phone and wallet back :)
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