the fresh perspective...

Visit any Best Buy and you will find an endless amount of “smart” products designed to make your life easier and your home “smarter.”I can’t seem keep up with all the new technology but I’m constantly hearing of new gadgets or apps that can help connect you with people, your home, vehicle, etc.

Obviously there are a lot of benefits to all this new technology. What a time to be alive! You can talk to a loved ones face in real time AND check on your dog while sitting at work. But could all of these conveniences be making us lazy?

Do we really need our phones to be synced up with our lights and thermostats? Do we trust that these devices aren’t taking other information from us? Haven’t we seen what happens to humans in Wall-E?!? Sit in any waiting room or restaurant and pay attention to how many peoples faces are glued to their phones. Yes, we have created some great conveniences, but I think we can afford to manage our utilities the old fashion way; walk across the room and do it manually!

We can’t let technology take away from real life experiences. Talk to people face to face and leave your phone at home once in awhile!

the fresh perspective...

There is no denying that the holiday season is largely about giving and receiving gifts. At least in our part of the world. Whether we like it or not, society seems to shove it in our face, everywhere we go, as soon as November 1st hits. As much as we all know that these holidays did not originate this way, this has been the portion of these holidays that we have latched onto and emphasized.

Sure, most of us have very fond memories of opening gifts or wrapping presents for our family and friends. I would have to call bluff on anyone who tried to claim they hate the gift part of the holidays. But can we still enjoy the season sans presents?

There are definitely many other magical parts of the holiday season. Walking through your neighborhood with some hot chocolate to check out all the lights, a big fat feast with all your favorite humans, those classic holiday songs that bring back all the nostalgia, the list goes on. Seeing a tree with gifts underneath does instill a feeling of excitement but at the end of the day, is never the best part of the holidays. If I had to choose between watching Home Alone and giving up gifts, I would choose Kevin McCallister every time.

Memories with humans and nostalgia from those memories are a feeling that can never be replaced by receiving an object. I’m not trying to convince anyone to give it all up but we do tend to get a little carried away. Try choosing an activity to do with your loved one in lieu of purchasing something. Those memories will last way longer than an Apple Watch.

-the fresh perspective