Entering the Iphone World

This past week my phone decided that it has had enough and gave up the ghost because of that I headed into the T-mobile store to see what I could do. There was no hope for my old phone so I entered the new world of an Iphone. At the store the guy helping me asked if I wanted him to transfer everything from my old phone to my new phone I told him just my contacts and he looked at me like I was crazy. I told him I wanted a new start. This week I decided that I wouldn't download any apps or use my phone for social media. It was crazy to see how much less time I spent on my phone. I had more time to do homework, to be with friends, to focus on those around me, and mostly to enjoy the moments that I was experiencing. Even though I got a new phone and now you could say that I was on the "in" I have felt more disconnected then ever and loving it!! I think technology can be used for good and used in moderation but I don't think it needs to control our life.

A Different VIew

Growing up, my sisters and I, were not permitted to play with Barbie dolls. My mother thought that they taught girls that happiness only comes through material items. Their bodies were perfectly shaped to let girls know that if their bodies didn't match theirs then they were considered "overweight" if you didn't have as many clothes as your doll did then you were considered "poor", also if you didn't have a boyfriend like barbies then you were considered a "loser".
These were all ideas that my mom didn't want us to have in our heads as little girls. So instead we were permitted to play with American Girl Dolls and Bitty Babies. Life continued on and I never thought more about it till now.
Recently I have come across two different commercials for Barbie Dolls. The first one promotes everything my mom did not want her little girls to be thinking about. Its all about the material items and their looks no elementary girl should be concerned about. The second commercial changed my view on Barbie Dolls. It made me think if this is what Barbie Dolls are all about, then I want my little girls to have one.
What do you think?

Morning Side

Its interesting how one song can bring back thousands of memories. This week I was able to attend a morning side that gave me a rush of memories. On my mission I had one C.D. that was the soundtrack for my mission. I listened to nothing else besides this one C.D. I related so many of my special moments that I was experiencing to these songs. They helped me to cope with them, or made them even more special to me. At this morning side Hilary Weeks came and spoke/sang to us. One of her songs that she sang was, Even When. This song meant so much to me on my mission. It was the song that I would go to in good times and bad. In the song the main theme that is shared over and over agin is that no matter what God loves you. If anyone needs to feel loved or needs a lift this is the song that I would share with them to boost their spirit.

Disconnect to Reconnect

How many times have you stopped a conversation to reply to a text? How many times have you walked out of a party to answer a phone call? How many times have you sat next to one of your friends to scroll through your feed to see whatever else is doing? We are allowing media to control our friends and interactions with others. We spend more time staring at a screen in our hands then into the eyes of those around us.

This week my goal is to put my phone on silence and put it away. I don't want to look back and realize I have missed a moment or I missed an opportunity to make a new friend or build a stronger relationship with a neighbor. Disconnect to reconnect with those who are around you. Live in the here and now.