life before the internet

It may not seem quite right to say, but life before the Internet was so much simpler. Well, maybe simpler isn't the right word. Perhaps personal or intentional is a better fit. Now, I know what you're thinking.

But Becca how would we:
- find directions to our destinations?
- know the weather forecast for the week?
- discover new healthy recipes?
- research and write our term papers?
- stay up-to-date on celebrity gossip and world news?

and perhaps the #1 thought:

- How would we stay connected with people down the street, across the country, and around the world?

While yes, the Internet has greatly improved our lives in all of these ways by making everyday tasks quicker and important information more easily accessible, it's also greatly increased the time we spend away from nearly lost past-times.

When was the last time you:
- used a good old fashioned map to chart your course?
- sat down and watched the evening news?
- opened a cookbook and scoured the pages for that traditional family favorite?
- checked out a book from the library and took some hand-written notes?
- bought a newspaper and read it from front to back cover?

and perhaps my #1 thought:

- When was the last time you walked down the street to say hello to a neighbor, picked up the phone to call a loved one cross-country, or put pen to paper to write a friend overseas?

Aside from calling family far away, since I am nearly a lone west coaster, my answer to all of the above would be, "I can't remember."

Please don't think I'm not a fan of the Internet, because I am fully aware of how it has enriched my life. As I set out to begin this blog tonight I was, however, overwhelmed with the thought that life has advanced so much it seems to have taken us away from treasured times of the past. I can spend several hours in one night attempting to discover and master the secrets of creating a blog on the Internet, yet I rarely take 10 minutes to walk next door to say hello.

I challenge you to rediscover a practice from the past and to restore it to the present. I think I'll put pen to paper...tomorrow:)- Goodnight!