I went camping on the Texas coast in Goose Island State Park near Rockport, Texas. I have like to kayak in the Texas flats (marsh) and fly fish for Redfish.

Typical day is fish all day.

Eat.

Sit and stare at the stars until bed.

Most times I camp and fish by myself but this time my friend Chris came along for the ride. He is a better fisherman than I am.

He knows of my anti smart phone stance and joins in my low tech experience.

I like to sit and stare at the stars. I was sitting thinking about of all of the people before me that sat and looked at the same stars in the night sky. What they thought. How they used the stars for information, even navigation.

As we sat Chris and I were talking and he picked up his phone to google something several times. He commented how it was instinct.

Besides the light pollution caused by his phone, it made me realize how the smartphone was stealing the sense of wonder.

Sure Google can deliver facts and figures but being inspired by the stars and feeling connection to the past and even the future is something that only time alone without a digital connection can provide.

The deeper I go into the damage that smartphones have caused to our culture and minds, it is not just about social media or over use of the phone. It is the fact that in the middle of conversation our instinct is to reach for the phone, instead of allowing our mind to wander and find sense of wonder.

• Not using a smartphone is inconvenient.
• Not using a smartphone is the hard way.
• Not using a smartphone is the better way.

Your Friend Terry

Terry

PS. Which phone do you use?

PSS. My friend Paige Weber sent me this podcast - An interview with Johann Hari author of "Stolen Focus" - Listen for the story about his visit to Graceland.

PSSS. Paige is in the middle of her 30 days of painting. The eagle is my favorite.

Are you interested in sharing your story? Let me know. Here is a form to get started.

Read on my blog ​