DishgruntledOur mothers (or your grandma ma) could not wait to try out modern inventions like a washing machine & dryer or dishwasher. Oh, the time it will save! You will be able to kick back, soak up the sun and blissfully read books or enjoy your leisure in countless ways.

Huh? What happened?

How about when computers became a household item. They will maximize our efficiencies… that may be true if you know how to use them correctly. Otherwise it can take a great deal of time with the hands-on trial and error and the accompanying frustration. Unless a young person will teach you as they are all savvy technology whizzes these days, including my 5-year-old granddaughter!

Save time or ratchet up the pace of doing more and more and even more; faster and faster?

Fantastic innovations offer us iPhone's, iPads and all sorts of gadgets. Equipment becomes outdated as new technology is introduced to entice our consumer mentality, seducing us with the latest "must have" version. Tape cassettes, VCR’s and now CD’s are obsolete. Books are now eBooks and the Cloud has unlimited storage and so it goes.

Is it a gift or burden?  a both and…or a double edged sword?

E-mail…aye ya aye. I used to be able to read and follow up on work e-mails daily but now the volume multiplies at an astonishing rate like cells in the body.

Do you ever dream about simpler times?

We can’t go back but I sure would like to simplify my life, declutter my home, my mind and create room for what I love. Yet, all the moving parts and juggling makes it seem impossible. Yikes, enough!!! STOP!

What do you love?

I love being in nature. Upon awakening it helps to take a few minutes to sit in quiet, to listen without agenda. Perhaps you will hear the birds singing while darkness gives way to crimson, marigold and incandescent blue. 

For a little lift in your mood copy this URL into your browser and enJOY this one minute interlude: 

Set a loving intention… relax and lighten your load.

For the rest is history.

 

Liz Sorensen Wessel
Vintage photo, source- the Internet

9 responses to “Days 69-70 We’ve been hoodwinked!”

  1. Maureen McDermott Avatar
    Maureen McDermott

    Liz, how very true! Here I am in Sydney where we have had a gathering with a few of our Sisters. Sr Pat Farrell from the States was the presenter and what quality she was. Part of her encouragement was for us to contemplate, to listen with compassion and much more. Now your words add to the inspiration of the weekend. May we find our contemplative self. Thank you Liz.

    Like

  2. Chapman Health International Avatar

    What a brilliant new take on an old theme – Labor saving devices never save it, they just create a new a different kind of labor. This is such a powerful way of saving that technology, all the way back to the invention of the wheel, transforms one type of labor into another. Sister Maureen has got it right – the need for prayer and meditation & never been greater. Technology is a shiny new toy. The life of the spirit is eternal.
    I completely love the old ad (what company was it?). Yes. In spite of all the wonderful new technology, we are still DISHgruntled.

    Like

  3. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Wow, you have brought up such an important point. Time to disconnect on a regular basis!

    Like

  4. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    Liz: I like the title of your subject matter “we’ve been hoodwinked”. Current technology is taking hold of many even the little ones. They are occupied with the games they play on their smart phone while their mother shops in the store. Dishwashing machine-I did not buy a new one when the old one stopped working.I wash the dishes by hand. I appreciate Erie’s comment “Technology is a shiny new toy. The life of the spirit is eternal”. Yours is the love of nature etc.

    Like

  5. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Hi Maureen,
    Synchronicity and sounds like a wonderful gathering with Pat and your Sisters.
    I was in the kitchen at work and I mentioned this topic to a colleague and we both had a good laugh. Yet as a wrote this reflection, it took me a bit deeper to consider the impact of technology on my life and on others.
    I do think it is important to contemplate how our behaviors are changing in response to our evolving relationship with technology and the impact of instantaneous communication.
    Thanks for commenting and offering your helpful insights! Balance is key.

    Like

  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Hi Erie,
    The photo is a vintage advertisement for PG Dishwasher, s.1962. Classic isn’t it?
    I find it a bit of a challenge. Each week when a confront the blank Journal page I inevitably share of my experience. At present this is what is bubbling up. It helps to take a step back and recognize some of the craziness and re-calibrate…or realign with God’s will rather than my own meager attempts at control.
    Thank you, Erie

    Like

  7. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Don’t you love that word hoodwinked? I do…
    I have heard that washing dishes by hand, when you are fully present can be a delightful for of meditation. I have had that experience at times and for most of my adult life did not have a dish washer but I do currently and it is a great addition to my kitchen.
    I agree Suan, great comment by Erie.
    Thanks so much for joining the conversation.

    Like

  8. Woody Wessel Avatar
    Woody Wessel

    The Future is Pandora’s Box. We are told once we open it we will get what we want, but with those things comes others that we didn’t expect.

    Like

Leave a reply to Julie Cancel reply