18 Comments
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Mark Paalman's avatar

A thoughtful dive into media, Deb. Thanks for this. That story of the bet-placing dad and the drowned toddler was horrifying. It could have, and surely did, happen in pre-screen times with various other distractions, but perhaps today it could be more common, enabled by the proliferation of portable hi-def screens.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Mark!

I completely agree. Lately, I’ve had to keep reminding myself that it's up to us. These distractions have always been around. We have to take the bull by the horn 👿 and figure out our priorities. It's minute by minute in this extra noisy, tempting and temporal world.

Linda's avatar

I really appreciate these thoughts!

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Linda! I so appreciate you taking the time to read this. God Bless. ox

Jenni Madden's avatar

I shared to my Facebook timeline. This hit the nail on the head for me and I wanted my friends and family to know where I get encouragement from!

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Jenni!! Thank you so much! This made my day :) It’s honestly a minute by minute discipline isn’t it? Unplugging has new meaning. It’s not just to take a holiday anymore. oxox

AKcidentalwriter's avatar

A column that is my subject! I call it screenosis as malady. We are so addicted to this drug that folks can't never get enough. I have labelled it the D.D.C aka distract divert and confuse! Many individual do not have the capability to allow their mind to just wander. You have seen this issue from the T.V perspective. That is now a lost thought.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you AK! We’ve been chatting about this. It’s always on my mind/conscious too. We have strayed far from the idea of unplugging for a holiday. Just “being” — wandering — looking around, looking up — is sadly foreign… to the point of abnormal.

Thank you for reading friend. ox

AKcidentalwriter's avatar

Folks can't just wander or be unplugged. This FOMO thing has become a malady for many. The people that have grown up with a device in their hand especially will have this. The best thing is not to give a child a device till after school gets them started. I do not know if that is even possible. Otherwise screenosis will run amok.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Totally agree! I'm watching my kids and how they're handling their littles. I think my grandkid's generation might have hope 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks for this…you’ve put so much time and effort …researching is a gift, girl! I needed this for the simple but so important reminder to get off screen time! Really needed it as I’m here right now and can feel the kick in the behind! ☺️😅😉

Great piece my friend; always love your writing, love you! 💕😘

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Friend, I so appreciate you reading this. I honestly sat down yesterday morning and just wrote it. It’s been pressing on me — so it was a bit of “self-talk.” The kick in my own behind! Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Love you. oxox

Joan Stommen's avatar

😅😄why Substack matters…the things we share impact others in many ways! LOL

Beryl Gunn's avatar

Maybe my macular degeneration is a good thing as it forces me to listen rather than stare.at a screen or written prose.

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

No!! I wish I could give you the miracle of seeing better again mom. I love you and glad you can listen to some of what I write. Can’t wait to be together soon. ox

SonOfaGunn4321's avatar

As my late close friend Erik always used to say,

"Pay attention, it's free"

This was a great read...& I'm diggin' Fink 🎶 Love you Sis ❤

Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I love that saying. So so good.

And thank you little bro. Don’t you just dig Fink? I’m always discovering cool music every time I pick an artist and just hit that “artist’s name → radio.” You get the whole vibe and more from one artist that introduces you to many artists and their music. Some feels like the “B” side that you never hear. Love you. ox