Don't you hate it when you think about all of your "missed opportunities?" I do. It makes me actually nauseous to think about how there were so many things I could have done, but simply, did not. We spend our whole lives looking for "the right moments" and "finding ourselves." It's almost as if we become lost at times. Now, with all the technology that exists in today's culture, it only adds to the disconnect we desire so much to break. As if this wasn't sad enough, think of it like this:

While you were in the Starbucks line alone texting to avoid eye contact with anyone, there was a cute guy staring at you... hoping to buy your coffee. There it went. It's out the door. This guy could have been your future husband, but you couldn't even give him the time of day. Even worse, you didn't even see him. If this scenario wasn't painful enough to hear, maybe both of you were texting, and never even got the opportunity to sit at a table outside to discuss your favorite books, hobbies, and interests. What a missed opportunity.

While you were too busy Instagramming a photo, you are missing all of the beautiful life, sights, smells and PEOPLE around you. Your virtual world is what you make it - not what it is. It is a virtual you - a FAKE you, if you will. It is someone that you want people to think you are. While on social media, you are missing the precious moments that exist all around you. You are missing conversation, emotion, feeling, and eye contact. You are dismissing social skills, listening, and everything in between. You are telling the people around you that your cell phone is far more important than they'll ever be. What a missed opportunity.

Instead of teaching your child how to communicate and behave, you are occupying him/her with an iPad at the dinner table. You are telling them that it is okay to isolate themselves. You're telling them that the crayons are just for show, and their imagination can wait. What a missed opportunity.

You are accepting. You are settling. You are allowing yourself to get to know someone through an app. By swiping right, you are limiting yourself. You are allowing a boy or girl to text you majority of the time. That has become the depth of your relationship. Instead of a boy coming to knock on your door, you are waiting for the, "I'm here," text. You are telling them that this treatment, this relationship, is okay with you. What a waste. What a missed opportunity if you settle for someone like this.

Today, connect again. Re-introduce yourself to the world. Step out of your comfort zone. Let people know that they are more important than your Facebook. Look up. Someone might make you feel important, as well.