Have you ever tried to take a picture of the sunset and thought to yourself that a picture could never do it justice? I have. Many times. Actually, almost every time I watch the sunset. And then a few minutes later, when the sun is long gone, I sit there and realize that I was so busy trying to get the perfect picture of the sun setting, I missed the moment altogether.

I’m starting to think that maybe we weren’t meant to be able to capture the images we so desperately long to have on a screen. I mean even if we were to get the perfect picture that we hoped for, most of us would throw a filter on it anyway.

There’s something about not being able to truly do a sunset justice, that leads me to believe that maybe it’s time to stop trying. It’s almost magical, as if the sunset last night, or the night before, was for us to see for a moment, and then never to be seen again in quite the same way.

We live in a generation so consumed by technology and social media, we don’t even realize it anymore. A generation that lives for the number of likes we get on a post, or the punny captions that go with it. A generation that lives for the longest snap streaks and the best quality filters. I will be the first to admit that I’m guilty of all of these things.

But for what? Why are we SO concerned with our presence on social media? In 10 years, I seriously doubt I’m going to remember how many likes I got on the picture I posted of the sunset at the beach. I would be more likely to remember the memories that went along with it.

And it’s not just the pretty views or scenery either. I’ve been to several country concerts this summer and do you know what I’ve noticed? All around me I am watching people pull out their phones to record what they have paid to come see. Okay, I get it, you might want a video to remember the concert by later.

But every single song? In a way, it makes me sad, because it wasn’t always like this. I’m not bashing pictures or videos because I love them as much as you. And I’m definitely not saying we should stop taking them. We are blessed to have technology at our fingertips. But, sometimes we are so addicted to our phones that they can distract us and hinder us from experiencing what’s right in front of our faces.

I love a quote that I recently read from the book All the Light We Cannot See. It states, “Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.” So, the next time you go to a concert, or watch the sunset from a parking deck, or even witness the next solar eclipse, let me leave this challenge with you.

This time, instead of trying to get that perfect Snapchat story, or super cool time lapse, put the phone away. And keep it away. Enjoy the beauty before you and live in the moment. Open your eyes. See what you can with them while you have the chance, without a screen getting in the way. I can promise you won’t regret it.