No Smartphones This Thanksgiving, Are You Up to the Challenge?

Do you remember when phones were just phones? Do you remember when they were attached to the wall in your home and there was no way to text, e-mail, Facebook, or tweet with them? I remember those days. Things have certainly changed, haven’t they? Not all of it is bad. I think technology has it’s place, but I have a challenge I would like for you to consider this Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving, I’m going to say, “No” to my smartphone. I may use it to talk to my family members who can’t be here, but I won’t be doing e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, texting, or Instagram. I want to challenge others to do the same.

It’s Good for Family Togetherness

Whether you are the one who is smartphone addicted or not, you can help bring your family together this Thanksgiving. If you’re a grandparent, a parent, an aunt, an uncle, or even a teenager, you could be the one to suggest a smartphone-free Thanksgiving in your home. Wouldn’t it be great for everyone to be “present” as you sit around the dinner table, play board games, or even just sit around and visit with one another?

Let your family know this Thanksgiving you are thankful for them by being present and encouraging them to do the same.

It’s Good for Personal Discipline

It’s one thing to intentionally use a smartphone to communicate important information with a friend or family member who is somewhere else, but it’s another thing to mindlessly check our phones every few minutes. I don’t know about you, but I have become a creature of habit and my phone often gets way too much of my attention. I need to discipline myself and this Thanksgiving seems like a great opportunity to do just that.

I realize social media, texts, and e-mails can be used to do much good. Personally, I’m a huge proponent of that. But it can also be a huge distraction and time-waster.

I’m sure our virtual friends and followers will survive Thanksgiving without our obligatory, “Happy Thanksgiving to everyone” post. Remember, humanity survived thousands of years without smartphones (and you probably even survived your childhood without one), what’s one day?

If You’re Still Not Convinced

Here’s a video that I’ve seen several times, but it always humbles me when I watch it again. It’s a commercial from Thailand.

So, what do you say, are you up to the challenge?

I love you and God loves you,

Wes McAdams

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