Put down the cell phone and I won't hurt YOU!

I am not perfect. I used to be the woman on the phone in the minivan in front of you.

Then I WOKE UP!

If you are leaning on your door to be comfortable while you talk, you shouldn't be driving! When you can't stay in your own lane and almost cause two accidents in less than a quarter mile stretch but you don't notice, you need to get OFF the phone.  If you just have to have that conversation, pull over. If you just can't be in the car without hearing your own voice, sing along to the radio. 

For all that is sacred, my sanity and your own safety- because I am not a "polite" honker, I will honk till you figure out that I am pissed at you for not paying attention- don't drive and talk on your cell phone! Don't text and drive. Don't check out what your friends on FB are doing and drive. Don't look at your phone GPS and drive. For fart's sake pay attention to the machine you are driving, it can kill others or you! OSHA doesn't let crane operators lift steel beams and text at the same time because IT IS UNSAFE. And it's unsafe for you to be gabbing away with Betty about who gives the better blow out when you NEED to be paying attention to the road. 

I recently got rid of my smartphone and went back to a "basic" phone. It has a QWERTY keyboard and that's all I need. I used to be on my smartphone all the time, I had people ask me what was "wrong" when I didn't have it in my hand or glued to my ear.  I was on it while eating (at home or in public), driving, walking, lying in bed, and even while talking to people in the same room with me. I missed too much. I missed my mom telling me she was hungry or that she didn't understand what was on TV. I even missed her telling me she loved me.

How f'ed up is that? I missed her telling me what she needed me to HEAR! I wasn't giving her the attention she deserved. I wasn't giving anyone what they deserved, even myself.

I live in one of the most beautiful states in the country. I have stunning views every day, everywhere I look. I notice them now. I have seen some of the most amazing birds now that I'm not attached to my smartphone. I don't need to see them online; I sit outside on our front porch or back and see them for myself. I can hear them sing to me while I soak up Vitamin D. I was missing so much of this before.

I am giving myself the attention I deserve. I've started reading voraciously again. I have started to cross-stitch. I am able to once again HEAR my mom. I have conversations with my dad about the news. We are able to laugh about the one-liner Sheldon just delivered on The Big Bang Theory now that I'm not glued to my smart phone.

My world did not stop because I don't know checked in where. I can go 24 to 48 hours without turning on my laptop. I don't have to spend hours liking every single status that every other person on FB has. I can pick up the phone and actually speak with the people that matter to me. I can send them a text, when I'm not driving. I am much more present in life than I used to be.

When I'm driving, I don't text. I still slip and make a call that is not necessary. However, after seeing how the woman in the minivan didn't even notice what she did this morning, I won't be. My phone will be in my purse, behind my seat. My eyes will be on the road, my mind paying attention to where I'm going, my crappy voice singing along to the radio and my hand hovering over the horn to save my life as well as yours if you pay more attention to the phone then to the machine you are operating!