I walked through business class as I boarded the plane and noticed every single person sitting in that section, which had only one empty seat, was working – or perhaps playing – on a smart phone. Perhaps checking email, rescheduling meetings, or shopping for gifts online. I’m not certain of people’s specific tasks, but I thought of how technology tempts us with its promise to keep us organized and efficient – and maybe we are – yet we can easily live life shoulder to shoulder with people on the plane, sidewalk, or in our homes, without turning face-to-face to invest, ask questions, and listen.

I don’t intend to bash technology. Technology in and of itself isn’t bad. It doesn’t have the power to pull us away from relationships. That’s a choice we make on our own.

• Our iPhones can keep us organized – and provide distractions.
• Our DVRs can free our schedules to spend with family and friends – and cause us to have a selfish, on-demand mindset.
• Facebook can keep us connected to and updated with people – and create an excuse to avoid other obligations or become unhealthily consumed with details of others’ lives.

Some people react to technology with an “it’s all evil” approach, refusing to use any of it. Or so it seems. My guess is some technology is entwined into their lives: microwaves, telephones, calculators. We usually rationalize what technology is good and bad by what we have or don’t have and what we know or don’t know how to use.

So what? This likely isn’t news to you. There will always be concerns about the balance between using technology and letting it use us. I encourage you to set aside any controversy among your friends and challenge yourself to examine the balance from a personal perspective. 

• Where or how are you spending too much time?
• What pulls you away from significant, growing relationships?
• In what areas does your unfamiliarity block your possibilities?
• Where are you stuck in a rut, or where do you feel trapped?

My challenge to you this week is to behave outside the box. Take a look at the technology in your hands and consider how you can use it in a new way to connect? Perhaps you’ll need to set it aside – which is new to you – in order to connect. Or if you’ve been hesitant to learn something new, you’ll need to pick it up and (gasp!) ask for help.

As for me, I’m taking a look at my Christmas card list from a couple years ago and finding a way to reconnect with anyone I’ve lost contact with. For those I can contact through Facebook or email, I’ll send something creative. For others, I’ll write a note. I challenge you to do something similar.

Need some inspiration? Perhaps you can share this through email, Facebook, Twitter…or your blog!