A Box of Quicksand

My husband and I recently traveled to Florida to be with my father-in-law as he underwent chemo and radiation to battle lung cancer. One day he said that he would like to show us his favorite beach and stop for ice cream. My husband drove so I was free to soak in the scenery as we traveled along the coast. I felt a sense of peace as I observed people enjoying nature’s playground and then…

I got a text, which caused my phone to vibrate, and just like one of Pavlov’s dogs I immediately looked down to read the text. I quickly responded and then I started scrolling through my news feed in a social media site. I estimate that 2-3 minutes passed before I caught myself. In that moment of clarity, I realized that I was choosing to focus on social media posts that I could easily review later rather than the beautiful scenery we were driving past. I chose to put the phone down and enjoy the view.

I try to be present and stay in the moment. That week as we accompanied my father-in-law to his chemo and radiation treatments I had extra reminders as to just how precious life is and yet I fell into the trap of the social media app on my phone.

It was as if my phone was a box of quicksand pulling me in deeper and deeper.

I am grateful to have broken free that time after only 2-3 minutes but it’s an ongoing battle as that box of quicksand is ever present.

Each day consists of 1,440 minutes. As you navigate the day, are you present and enjoying the scenery or are you drowning in your own quicksand?

It’s your life so, as always, the choice is yours.