Now don't get me wrong... I LOVE technology and all of that, but deep down, at my very core, I long for a simpler existence.
I'm always surprised at how I feel when I unplug from today's technological wonders.
Last night as I finished reading my second book in one week I was reminded of how amazingly awesome reading is... I mean seriously, intellectually I know reading is great but my attention tends to get pulled in so many different directions I tell myself I have no time to read... which of course is not true.
This got me thinking of all the great books I've read and one jumped out at me as a very influential book from my childhood.
When I was growing up my mother would take my brother and me to the library. I would immediately go to the Arts and Crafts or Science section and sit in awe of all the cool things hidden between the pages of the books on those shelves.
One such book that I continually looked for (and still do to this day :) was The Great American Depression Book of Fun. I LOVE this book! It's chocked full of ideas on how to make toys from everyday items found around your house. You'll learn how to make fighting kites (complete with flour torpedoes!), slide whistles, spinning tops (the first Beyblades), and my personal favorite... RUBBER BAND GUNS!
I can't tell you how many hours I spent as a child reading the stories of how kids during the Great Depression had "a good-time romp through the hard times", imagining myself as a kid during the '30's. The drawings in this book made me want to try everything out... and I'm sure I did!
I can remember my buddy Dylan and I spending days shaping, sanding, fine-tuning, and practicing our aim with the rubber band guns my dad helped us make. In fact, as I reflect on this now, those were some of the best times I can remember.
With today's video game, 3D TV, internet, download instantly, spoon-fed, media rich way of life, I'd like to challenge you parents to take a step or two back from technology and unplug your family for a weekend.
Sure, you'll have some gnashing of teeth, some "what are we going to do" and "I can't live without my DS" but, I think you'll discover the joys of a simpler life, if only for a day or two.
Here are some suggestions on what to do:
- Find a copy of The Great American Depression Book of Fun and see how people had fun with next to nothing.
- Bring out those old board games
- Read a book together
- Find your family picture albums and reminisce
- Make some origami jumping frogs and have a race
- Teach your kids how to play a new card game
- Go on a walk in the park and count how many different animals/bugs you see
- Learn a new game called Ghoulash (it's like battleship but cooler :). Here's another maze for you!
- Do a puzzle
- Make a model
- Go to the local 'zoo' (on our case, that means PetCo :) and look at all the cool animals that God has created... my current favorite is the way cute Bearded Dragon!
- Write a story as a family and illustrate it
And hey, spending some quality time together as a family without any distractions can only strengthen your relationships, right?
Try it, I think you'll be surprised at what you discover!
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