Our generation is addicted to technology and no matter how many times we try, we can’t deny it. We should change that.

The more I scoot around campus unable to worry about social media and texting, the more I notice how many people are on their damn phones all of the time. It’s ridiculous. I understand having headphones in and skipping a song every few minutes but honestly guys, not paying attention to where you’re going is not okay.

I don’t know how many times people have almost run into me because they’re too busy looking down at the rectangle they hold in their hands. Trust me, it’s not that important on the 15-minute walk between classes or to your car. It can wait!. If it’s an emergency, then find somewhere to stop and deal with it. Being on your phone is only going to delay your advances.

If you’re always looking down, you’re going to miss something. Wouldn’t you rather watch the cute dogs running around Landis or check out the event going on at the Union? You blink and the moment disappears so how much goes unnoticed while you’re staring at that tiny screen?

The answer: too much.

Look up every once and a while.

Notice your surroundings. Take in the scenery. Observe the varying faces of your peers. Witness the changes occurring day after day. Examine your inner thoughts and feelings.

You can learn a lot by acknowledging nature and the creations roaming around in it. By staying off your phone, you become more aware of the present. You can appreciate the flowers blooming and the ever-changing Florida weather; cloudy one day and sunny the next. You can analyze the looks people give and wonder what mood they’re in and why. Did they just fail a test or are they rushing to their next class?

It’s a mystery what goes on in other people’s lives but sometimes sharing a smile makes someone’s day, maybe even yours. A smile can change your whole day if you let it but you can’t do that if you’re constantly looking down.

Since we’ve made it a habit to always be on our phones, how do we break it? Seeing that we are practically slaves to these devices, it won’t be easy and it’ll take some time but the result will be worth it in the long run. It’ll mean more time spent with open eyes and inquiring minds. The more we see, the more we’ll learn and the more knowledgeable we’ll become.

The initial step to breaking this curse is to leave your phone in your pocket and ignore any notifications you receive while you’re walking. If you feel the need to check your phone, stop walking and then once you’re finished looking at your phone, return it once again to your pocket before continuing to walk. Start doing it once a day and when that becomes natural, move up to twice a day and so on. Eventually, your phone will buzz while you’re on the go, and removing it from your pocket will be too much of a hassle.

Even if you miss a few notifications while you’re out and about, they’ll be there when you stop to take a breather. Don’t let that 5-inch screen control you. It’s not worth missing the mysteries of life being revealed to you.

Enjoy the world as it passes by because when the moment fades, it’s gone forever.