Back To Basics

There’s A Monster in the Bathroom

Does it seem like high-tech gadgets are taking over our lives?

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the benefits of technology as much as anyone else. But it’s a constant challenge keeping up with the latest gadgets, computer programs, Blackberries and iPhones that have become an integral part of my daily routine.

These days, I find myself completely at loss when my computer acts up and I can’t get on the Internet. And God forbid if my cell phone stops working! I feel like I’m in a dark cave somewhere, cut off from the rest of the world.

Technology has become so prevalent that it often affects our lives in ways we don’t even notice. For example, last week we went out to the Cheesecake Factory (a popular chain of restaurants on the west coast) for dinner. As I walked into the ladies room, I encountered a toddler, about two years old, crying hysterically. Her pants down and her arms around her mother, the precious little girl was sobbing and shaking with fear.

I bent down to ask what was wrong, and before the mom had a chance to reply, this baby girl with golden hair and ocean-blue eyes looked up at me and said, “There’s a monster in the toilet!”

Confused, I looked at the mother, who explained that she set her daughter on the toilet to go potty. When she moved her feet just a bit, the automatic toilet began to flush and the loud noise scared the toddler.

I had a hard time containing my laughter. I didn’t want the baby or the mother to get more upset, so I quickly turned away. But, funny as it was, I also found the incident to be disturbing.

Returning to my table, I related the story to my husband and children. They thought it was funny too, but didn’t think much of it. I explained that I never had to deal with those situations because when our kids were small, public restrooms didn’t have automatic toilets. I didn’t have to say to them, “Once you sit and I move, the toilet will make noises. So don’t be scared.”

Back To Basics

Technology has been affecting our lives for more than a century now. But it seems like only within the past decade has it gotten out of control. We have become too advanced and too dependent on what used to be luxuries only a few short years ago.

After realizing that I had become obsessed with “staying connected” for the last few years, I have decided to back off on the technology a bit. Therefore, I propose the following:

Disconnect your PDA’s and use them only as a calendar and address book. Your emails will still be available on your computer when you feel like reading them. Only now you won’t have to answer them every few minutes as they arrive to your inbox with that annoying beep, beep.

Use cell phones only when necessary, and shut them off when you don’t need them. There’s no law that says people must be able to get hold of you when they want to. Instead, have them leave you a message that you can return at your convenience.

Stop with the “instant updates.” News is available 24 hours a day. It’s not that important to know what’s going on every 15 minutes.

Stress is on the rise and diseases are out of control, most of them due to stress. My grandpa continues to remind me that, “All diseases are caused by stress, and only syphilis is from pleasure.” After decades of hearing this, I finally believe him.

Nonfat, low-fat, decaffeinated and sugar-free foods are poisons. Remember that saying, “You are what you eat?” I never did grasp that concept until I got sick and discovered that most of the foods I consumed made me sick, tired and irritated.

Time off is essential to your health and your future. You only get one body, so treasure it, nurture it, and take care of it. Become the “high maintenance” person you were meant to be by staying positive, putting yourself first (some of the time), and learning to love yourself just the way you are. It’s back-to-basics time, so turn off all of your electronic devices, grab a book and a cup of hot chocolate and remember, the best is yet to come.