Dang, Even in Savasana I am on Technology

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There was about a five-year period where I walked about a mile to work every day. And back home. Most of that was on the dirt of the high desert of Arizona. It was about 20 minutes through the scrubby creosote, and I had some nice views of Oak Creek meandering through the Verde Valley. Initially, I rode my bike. I decided I liked the slower pace of the walk and the added time it gave me to ponder things. Some winter days I forgot my gloves, so I spent long minutes wondering why I forgotten them. Sometimes my introspection was deep. Other times not so much. But it was quiet and beautiful. And I had to walk though that every day. Twice.

Just less than two years ago we moved here to Washington. Except for about ten days, I have walked to work, walked home for lunch and back, and walked home every day. It is only about 12 to 14 minutes. Only about 30 feet is actual dirt. The rest is concrete sidewalk or asphalt trail. It is still beautiful.

These are some moments I get unplugged. Sometimes. Sometimes I call my daughter in New York. Sometimes I whip out the phone to take a picture of the blooming flowers.

Often the conversation around unplugging is focused on cell phones and computers. I would add to that the broader unplugging from air-conditioned rooms, automobiles, and sofas. There are just as many excuses as to why we continue to do those things all day as there are for using our cell phones during family dinners.

But perhaps that is a whole different conversation about communing more often with our natural state. And that is just too big of a river for me to cross today.

These tools we wander around with can become dangerous. Just like anything. I am glad I have them to record some things. Even when I am thinking I am out there, I am glad I had the tools to share the experience and keep a moment of memory for later.

I have been taking yoga for almost a year and there parts of those hours that get me close to that same feeling of my walk to work or run along the river. I bit of distance from the daily grind and some inward focus. I am lucky to be able to do these things. And I count my blessing every damn day.

9 comments

  1. Great photos – Washington really is beautiful! I agree that getting outside, whether for a day long hike or a short walk to work, is a great way to unplug!

    1. Washington is not what we imagined coming from Arizona. In Arizona, when it rains it drenches you in just moments. In Washington, it is a soft mist most of the time. We never knew…

  2. Nice post Todd. I think that being able to walk/bike to work is a blessing. You are right, even when I bike I am plugged since I carry my phone and use an app to track my ride, but at least I don’t see it šŸ™‚ When I walk, bike or run I don’t like to be connected with my phone directly (like listening to music). Like you, it’s my time introspection; it’s my way of getting fired up, and come up with the wildest ideas hahaha. And yes, I use youtube videos for yoga…

    1. Thanks Pia, I do feel really lucky. Commuting is just part of the day for many, especially where I am. And I agree about idea generating. If I have ever had any good ideas, I am sure they were found somewhere other than behind a desk šŸ™‚
      I have watched some yoga videos for pose advise, but I take classes… in a building…. on a fabricated mat…. with an iphone playing yoga tunes šŸ™‚ Not really disconnected šŸ™‚

  3. Todd, I also enjoy walking with my own thoughts, phone silent, except to snap a photo of that doe behind the maple on the edge of Fiddle Creek, or the sun shining on the waxy maple leaf, or the caterpillar inching its way along the basalt rock wall. And in April, NaPoWriMo, those photos enhance poetry. Your post reminds us to have balance and to find our own peace, with technology there for connections and memories.

    1. Taking those images may allow us to focus in on things, see them more closely, and perhaps appreciate them more deeply? Taking pictures os so amazing!

      And I love images (and gifs) with words I have written šŸ™‚

      via GIPHY

  4. Hi Todd, I like your comment about the broader unplugging “from air-conditioned rooms, automobiles, and sofas.” You’re right that the conversation on “unplugging” tends to focus on devices, but what is the real point of unplugging? Is it to be present in the moment? To reflect? Thanks for reminding me to think about these things!

  5. Todd,

    Yes, we also need to unplug from our appliances and electronics.

    Like you, my husband prefers to bike (versus your walk) to work for last 12 years. We lived in Georgia where biking 4 miles to work, some of it on beautiful tree lines streets was also his exercise. Moving to Wisconsin 4 years ago has limited his biking months. In order for him to bike in winter as well, we bought him a Fat Bike.

    Happy enjoying the nature and unplugging.

    Purviben
    @TrivediZiemba

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