An Unplugged Life.....Utopian Thought
23 Dec 2009
Was just compiling a list of my favorite poems to pass on to the children in the building for a New Year Gala when I paused while reading William Henry Davies"WHAT is this life if, full of care..."
I paused to reflect and reread the lines again... (see end of blog for whole poem)
In today's 24*7*365 world this is more relevant. We seem to be living the "online life." Everywhere you see people are talking on the mobile even while crossing a busy junction. Typing away at the keyboard in busy airport/train and bus junctions.. listening to music, downloading files, uploading documents.
I remember several days in the last six months, when I did not share a word with my family since I was so committed to the plugged world and deadlines. My husband often jokes that he faces biggest competition from inanimate objects - my laptop and my mobile phone. Yet, when I look back, I know the truth behind those words told in jest.
Work extended and ate into time for family and weekends and work in itself was an endless stream of conference calls, e-mails, meetings and task oriented deadlines with little or no time to think. I seemed to be on a fire fighting mode everyday and this aspect seemed to be echoed by many of my colleagues.
Given this, how do we we recharge our batteries, bring fresh ideas to work table and achieve a balance in life...
May be for many the comfort lies in being plugged during off hours aswell, being connected, blogging, micro blogging, social networking, downloading, uploading, talking on mobile, talking on skype.....