I recently heard an interview with Sebastian Junger, author of Tribe, and his latest, Freedom. He is a fascinating interview, and I can’t wait to read his books. He raises many fascinating points. But, the one I want to invite you to consider is his idea around freedom.
I have long beat the drum on the idea that there are many types of poverty. Junger captured this idea in a simple illustration. He suggested that if you want financial freedom you might become a corporate attorney. You’ll make extraordinary money, but you’ll have no life outside of work. Then he talked about time freedom. (Brace yourself; this concept may blow your mind like it did mine.) He said for someone who wants time freedom should consider homelessness. A homeless individual has total flexibility without anyone imposing their schedule upon them.
Imagine if we considered wealth and poverty beyond our bank accounts. What if we measured it by our emotional and physical wellness, our environment and cultural health, our intellectual or spiritual condition, or our relationships? Could you feel like a million bucks and not have a fully-funded 401k?
You Might Think I’m Crazy
Shift gears with me for a moment. Imagine if you saw me picking up a rock and looking at it every 2-3 minutes. Imagine if I just spent 5 minutes staring at the rock. What if I spent 45 minutes or an hour staring at it? What would you think of my obsession with this rock? Perhaps you’d ask me if I’m OK. Perhaps you’d ask me if I could put it away. Maybe you’d ask if I have a therapist.
Now, imagine this rock has buttons and a screen on it. Would you still question my obsession with it? The truth is many of us, myself included, stare at our phones every 2-3 minutes and fixate on them for hours.
Take the Crazy out of Thanksgiving
Consider a Thanksgiving where phones are banished from the table, or better yet, from the entire dining room. A radical proposition, but consider the possibilities. What if, without the digital distraction, we rediscover the joy of unbridled conversations, the laughter echoing through the room unmarred by the constant hum of notifications?
The idea may seem daunting, our connection to our devices so deeply ingrained that the mere thought of separation may induce withdrawal. Yet, what if this Thanksgiving becomes a pivotal moment, a collective decision to put our phones away and be fully present with our loved ones?
Imagine if everyone at your Thanksgiving gathering was freed from their devices and fully present with one another? Honestly, our obsession may be so deep we may not respond positively to that. But, what if we respond well? What if we connect deeply with our loved ones? What if we find that putting our phones up is something to be thankful for?
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