Thought #1: Be Here Now (aka- Take Out the Ear-buds)

I've had two thoughts lately, and this is thought #1: Be Here Now. It's much more difficult than it seems, and many things distract from the present (such as incessant texting, facebook, and television). But I mainly want to focus on the peril of living life attached to your i-pod. Although I haven't seen too much of it, people walk and move and breathe without unplugging from their musical world. Now, I would be the first to say I love music, and life should be a musical. :) This though, is not the problem here. The issue is not only a physical safety hazard (how can that kid crossing the street hear the approaching bus over Metallica?) but also a social, mental, and perhaps spiritual set-back.

Think of it this way: if you're plugged in, will you be as aware of your surroundings? No... so therefore, you won't be engaged in the people around you or their conversations. Further, not only does that potentially weaken your relational ties, but also weakens your mental IQ if you are not participating in stimulating conversation or soaking up new ideas. This does not just effect you, the extreme hip-hop fan, but also the person in your class, on the bus, driving the bus, walking beside you, or whatever. What if you missed out on an opportunity to meet a kindred spirit or minister to someone who just needed a kind word? Would you know, if you were not "here now"?

I feel that Jesus, as He walked on Earth, was constantly aware of the people and needs around Him. If He wasn't in touch with the present reality, He was in touch, off alone, with a greater reality, God the Father. So, all this is to say, please, for the love of your life, your friends, your future friends, your intellect, and your spiritual health, pull those ear-buds out of your head and exist in the moment God's blessed you with.