So my dad just got a cell phone.

When I say, “My dad just got a cell phone," I mean that he literally got one three months ago, for Christmas. He has finally joined the world of the 21st century. Well… kind of. You see, he has a flip phone that only calls and texts people. He isn’t very tech-savvy, and that’s something I really actually quite admire about my dad. I love it when people aren’t glued to their phones or Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. In fact, my dad didn’t get an actual 21st century computer in his office until about four years ago. Can you believe that? He did everything manually. Handwritten. And my dad is a…. (wait for it)… a lawyer. And I have to tell you, he survived plenty of years without any technological device whatsoever.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do love the positive side to technology. I have an iPhone (well I have a 5s), and that’s probably pushing it because it is now considered “old.” The other night I met a guy in Cookout who had an iPhone 7. It wasn’t just an iPhone 7; it was an iPhone 7 Plus! So it looked huge compared to my little 5s. My little phone still works great. It still does everything I need it to do.

But you know what… I’ve gotten to the point that I’m not too fond of technology. Quite honestly, it scares me a little bit. The first cell phone came out in 1983. I didn’t get a cell phone until I was 13 years old, and that was in 2005. It didn’t even have a flip to it. It was small and had little numbers. All I could do on it was call my mom and possibly text people. That’s all I remember. But now as I look around, I’ve seen the iPhone being used in kids TV shows. Where kids are face timing other kids…. in a TV show. I was babysitting this week and saw this. Then as I babysat another family, I saw it in another movie. I was shocked. I grew up in the 90s, and I miss the good old days of "Rugrats," "Rocket Power," "Fresh Prince of Bel-air," Lemon heads, fruit roll-ups and Disney movies. Do you remember any of those shows or candies?

I grew up in a time where the iPhone was something no one knew would ever exist. The iPhone didn’t show up in the "Lion King" or "One Hundred and One Dalmatians." It simply didn’t exist.

We have technology that can be used for good. It’s kind of scary how much we can do with technology. Recently, my nice, elittle ole' 5s has had some problems and my laptop has too. It is about seven years old. It’s held up just fine. However, I’ve run into a problem; I can’t get my photos from my iPhone onto my computer. We have iCloud right? Well I tried that, and, it didn’t have enough space for my photos, so my good friend who works at Apple helped me set up an appointment with someone who could help me. During my phone appointment, I was able to “share a screen” with him so he could see what was going on with my computer. Not only was this possible for my computer, but it was also possible for my iPhone. He simply clicked a button, and I had to accept his invitation on my phone for him to see what I was clicking on my phone for my photos.

Never mind about the problem with my photos, computer and phone. My point is that another human being can see my technological devices when he isn’t with me in person. Does that not blow up your mind?

I was slightly shocked. I’m becoming more and more aware of technology. I thought we just had computers and cell phones, I didn’t know all of this funky business was happening.

I’ll give you another story. There is a special pen that you can buy for a little over $26, and it can record your professor while you write on specific paper that was designed for the pen. In order to start the recording, you press the pen on the paper. In order to stop it, you do the same thing.

Y'all does this not blow your mind?

I think Martin Cooper (the inventor of the cell phone) would be quite shocked at our world today. Don’t you think?

However, I've written all of this to say: take a break from your phone. Log off of Instagram, Facebook and snap chat at least for one day. You might be surprised to find how much time we look down and not out into the real world.

Also — men, if your out there listening and reading this, I can promise you that no girl wants to be asked for her Snapchat, she only wants you to ask her for her number. And you should call her and not text her.

The iPhone, Android or whatever cell phone you want to use has become great in some ways and horrible in others. I believe texting is a cop out way, when it comes to a guy asking a girl out. What ever happened to a gentlemen asking for a girls number (in person) and not asking her through Facebook?

Don’t get me wrong, I just think we need to get back to the good old days. I think we need to get back to looking at a road map.

Lastly, I have to say I am so grateful I can contact my friends in Mexico, Bolivia and Europe. I facetimed a dear friend of mine last week who lives in Mexico. I also got to facetime a friend of mine who is on the World Race. She is in Ethiopia right now. So technology can be really great, I think we just need to be careful. But you know what, if you're brave enough, write directions down on a napkin and take a road trip without looking up Google maps. If you’re brave enough, go on an adventure, without looking at your phone or taking pictures. I dare you to get lost and ask someone for directions, I just dare you.