I can be without my lip gloss, credit cards andcell phone but I feel completely lost withoutmy little rechargeable thumb board—andconstant access to my email.How did it come to this, my need to be inconstant communication with every singleperson in my life? No clue, but it can’t be good.After all, it’s not as though I’m a doctor or someone who must always be on call. I don’treceive urgent inquires and many of the emailsI get are not that important. Still, that ratio-nale means nothing to my habit.My husband Peter and our children aren’tpleased: they used to joke about being BBorphans, but they stopped kidding so long ago that I can’t even remember.Peter puts up with me when I ignore himwhile he’s driving. Sometimes—make that very often—he’ll begin a conversation with himself,providing the questions and answers as if heand I were talking.That usually gets me to put the thing back inmy purse. For a few minutes. But then I see
that little red light ashing.
My 11 year-olds Emma and Jake stop talking tome when they catch my eyes moving toward the device. When I see other people checking their email in a restaurant, I think it’s rude— then I do the same thing.I read about totally preventable accidents— people tripping on the sidewalk—because they’re texting instead of paying attention to where they’re walking. University of Utahresearchers found what, in the quaint old days,used to be considered common sense: writingand reading text messages while driving a car increases the likelihood of an accident. Their study found that texting behind the wheel is50% more dangerous than talking on a cellphone while driving. In another study, 9 outof 10 Americans think road texting should beoutlawed. I agree…I think.Maybe I have a problem with being in thenow—being present in the present—since Isuppose that checking e-mail can be viewed asan escape.The only time I am completely focused iswhen another red light is on—the one on thecamera at ABC’s
Good Morning America
whenI’m doing my workplace segments there. Live television has a way of forcing you to focuson only one thing. I do it well when I’m there,but I can’t seem to recreate that experienceoutside of Times Square.Recently while I was interviewing someone(totally unrelated to
GMA
!) I caught myself thinking about my “to-do” list, instead of engaging solely in the conversation. I was soanxious for the interview to just end.Here in New York City, one of the most
vibrant and exciting places on earth, I nd that the ashing red light on my BB usually draws
my attention while I’m riding in a cab—not thesights and sounds of the Big Apple. What to do? Here’s what: I’m going to givea shot at living in the present, and not worry about who or what is waiting in that littlegizmo in my purse.I’m going to stop looking at that little red light, to stay focused, to listen to Peter and the kidsand look at all that life outside my yellow cabfrom now on. Instead of that race to be in the
know,
my journey will aim toward being in the
now.
I will make a conscious effort to savor every moment. I cannot wait to begin—after I justcheck my e-mail.Tory JohnsonCEO, Women For Hire
Sg f jyg
present
d vg
in the now
…
S fr 2007 u f
From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By
, my frd R Rrss dgsd rs r. hg rs d dss,
Good Morning America
-r s ddd ru ggs mr f ry d. i’sudd r vrs, r-md
From the Heart: Seven Eight Rules to Live By
(hyr,$14.95). i s r, “M Yur Mss Yur Mssg,” Rrs rus sry f rdgss d g rs sf-m quy m surgry fd yggrssv mry.
i’m
addicted
my
blackbeRRY
www.tmobile.jobs
Leave a Comment