Danger Danger! In Your Pocket!

     

This Saturday I have the privilege of giving three talks to a group of middle school and high school students. One of the topics for a breakout session talk is addictions. As I've been praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance and reflecting and thinking about addictions I've been struck by the huge variety of addictions we have in our society. Some are obviously destructive, others more subtle, and others even more cunning and sneaking than the rest, so much so that as a society we don't even realize the addiction. From the cliche addictions of drugs and alcohol which although cliche are very much prevalent, to pornography, entertainment, food, sports, and technology especially phones. I hope to write on all of these topics, but first I want to focus on addictions to technology because I believe that smartphones and tablets have opened a whole pandora's box that most parents are unaware of. There is a clear and present danger that is inexplicably missed, ignored, or simply embraced and we are placing the most vulnerable in our society, the most precious right in the claws of this danger without educating or preparing the young to navigate these treacherous waters.

There and back again

       

Well, since it has been about a year since I've last done anything with this blog, I figured it was about time I write again. As much as I would like to say that I put my time into the highest pursuits of life, my time is often taken up with the demands and responsibilities of a job, a home, and the million little things that pop up right as soon as I think I am about to have some leisure time. I glanced at posts from the long distant past of last year and noticed that in just one week from tomorrow it will have been a whole year, can you imagine, a whole year since I have written anything of substance; well anything at all really and there was so much fodder for conversation this past year! Sporting events, political scandals, record breaking weather, entering into engagement with the love of my life, family gatherings,   world travels and much more were packed into the last year or so, yet it is gone and time to start fresh I think, since my memory will certainly fail me if I try and recount the many adventures the year of our Lord, two thousand thirteen held. So it's onward and upward, I hope you will join me for the ride!