Life Lesson from Travel #6: Technology is Both a Curse and a Miracle

This experience is serious. While it is not tied directly to travel, I believe crucial for people to understand, especially those who have grown up with the luxury of always having technology within arm's reach. The degree to which we are tied to our phones, tablets, and computers today is shocking when you suddenly experience an extended period away from all of it. That is exactly what happened to me after I was robbed.

I was without a computer or iPhone during my three-week stay in France. Even worse, during my journey from Naples to Paris, I had no technology to help me with directions, train schedules, and passing the time. It made the trip much more difficult, but I realized that only a few years ago that is how everyone traveled.

After I had arrived in Paris, I had no phone and limited access to a slow computer for the next two weeks. There was nothing good on TV, so I had to find other things to do with my time. I ended up doing a significant amount of meditating and reflecting on the role that technology played in my life. When I arrived back in Maryland, I had a computer, but still no smartphone. Instead, I had to use a flip phone that barely even received text messages. Two weeks later, I got a new iPhone, which is when this life lesson sunk in.

I had just spent five weeks with little to no technology, and I survived! I could not believe it. During those first days when I had nothing, I was asking myself, "How will I live without my technology?" I thought I might have a mental breakdown. It almost felt like the world might end. That might sound a bit exaggerated but it is not. I dare you to give it a try and you will see how real the experience is.

With more time to reflect on life, I began to ponder the significance of material possessions in life. After much thought, it came to my attention that these material things take away from my focus on the more important things in life. These are the things that I take for granted. Things like food, water, shelter, a home, and people who care about me.

Then I began to think about an even more intangible aspect of life, the gifts I was designed with by God. Thinking about my trips, I realized that I am gifted with a mind and spirit capable of anything and that I am a truly adventurous and daring individual. Most people I talked to would have never taken a trip like I did all alone. I became proud of who I am and what I have accomplished in life. I began to see through all the artificial things in life. These are the things that we think bring meaning and importance to out life but do not. Things like money, expensive cars, big houses, cell phones, computers, etc. It gave me a new perspective on life and how I want to utilize it to its fullest potential.

When I got my new phone, it was a relief. My graduate education had already been underway for two weeks, and it was hard to manage everything with only a flip phone. The funny thing is that, after the fact, I almost wish I had never gotten a new phone. I know, crazy, right? I became so accustomed to not having a smartphone and managing without it that I realized I did not truly need a new phone. Getting one surely made life much easier and was a relief, but I think I could have managed without it. On top of that, I continually find myself getting consumed by my phone. I lose personal interaction with others and the sense of awareness of what is going on around me. I am torn between two worlds, which can be mind-boggling.

To keep my life in balance, I remind myself of that terrifying ordeal in Italy– I managed to survive for five weeks with no smartphone and very little technology. I hate thinking about how I was robbed, but each time I do, it enforces and conditions me to be more conscious of how I utilize technology and maintain a balance in life. This is one more surprising benefit of that unfortunate event. It gives me new energy and a refreshed view on life.

The lesson here is that technology is wonderful and can make life easier, but never get consumed by it and never forget what you can accomplish without it. The last point can only be realized by experiencing time without technology; therefore, I am going to leave you with a challenge: Try to go just one week without a smartphone. If you cannot do that, try to go one week with just an old flip phone--no internet or texting, just phone calls. If you cannot do that, try to go three days without any phone. If you cannot do that, try to go just one day without a phone.

If you try any of these and are not successful, do not think of it as a failure. Think of it as a learning experience and new goal to be set. Start with one day. Once you achieve that goal, move to two days, then three, then four, and then five. When you get to the fifth day, set the goal of one week and start to think about how well you are managing to survive without the phone. At this point, you need to focus on yourself and reflect on the following: what you are fortunate enough to have; what makes you special; and what makes you want to get out of bed every day. The best practice would be to document everything in writing or video because no matter how hard you try, you will forget some things, especially on day seven when you pick your phone back up. Having something to review will serve as a refresher and give you a basis for accountability to yourself. And if you do all this with conviction I believe this process will help you to enjoy life to the fullest.