Inside: Instagram reels and TV shows can be entertaining, but let’s not get so focused on the pseudo-reality our screens display that we miss the beauty of the world right in front of us. ~
As Randy and I stepped into the hotel elevator after breakfast, a woman exiting noticed my sweatshirt.
“Yellowstone,” she said excitedly. “Oh, I love that show.”
When she started talking, I thought we might briefly connect over our appreciation of Yellowstone National Park—the grandeur of which I had experienced for the first time a few months earlier.
Instead, she completely missed the point of my sweatshirt. I’ve only seen a few minutes of Yellowstone the TV show. But I suspect it comes nowhere near the actual place in any category of awesomeness.
Missing What’s Real
Randy and I got a good chuckle out of this exchange as we returned to our room. Thinking about it later, though, I wonder. How often do we miss real beauty or significance right in front of us because our minds are focused on something far less meaningful?
Like being so preoccupied with taking the perfect selfie with the Grand Canyon in the background that we forget to sit on the bench and stare down at the splendor of it full in the face. Or being so busy trying to get the best shot of Lake Michigan, or the fall colors, or our children’s laughing faces, that we fail to enjoy the actual moment as it’s happening.
C.S. Lewis takes it to a deeper level in The Weight of Glory:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Enticed by Distractions
Maybe we haven’t fooled around with “drink and sex,” specifically. I’m guessing, though, that we’ve all been in that spot of being “far too easily pleased” with our distractions. You know what that is for you, just as I know for me.
If taking and sharing beautiful pictures brings you joy, by all means, don’t stop. I have a few blogger friends who regularly post this sort of photography. It makes me happy to see the glory they’ve captured with their phones or cameras.
Sadly, most of the photos I take of the sunrise on the running trail or the cardinals in my backyard never quite capture the beauty of the real thing.
I could get frustrated at my lack of skills or—even worse—compare my photos to someone else’s. Instead, I’m starting to realize the blessing of keeping my phone in my pocket and simply enjoying the scenery.
A Broader Application
This applies to far more than snapping pictures, by the way. Instead of endlessly scrolling through Tweets or Instagram reels, maybe we could read more full-length books. Rather than simply liking the posts of friends we haven’t seen for a long time, perhaps we could arrange to meet for coffee.
Likes are nice, don’t get me wrong. But what about the growth of a friendship? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be so easily pleased by what I see my friends posting on social media that I fail to reach out to them for actual face-to-face conversation.
I’m as inspired by touching Instagram posts as the next person. But I don’t want to get such a fill of them that I stop stretching my mind and heart by reading longer-length material.
I hope the lady in the elevator gets to visit Yellowstone one day, if she hasn’t already been there. As for me, our short interaction was a helpful reminder to pay attention to what’s right in front of me and make an effort to focus on what’s real and true.
♥ Lois
How often do we miss real beauty or significance right in front of us because our minds are focused on something far less meaningful? Share on X Rather than simply liking the posts of friends we haven’t seen for a long time, perhaps we could arrange to meet for coffee. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
22 comments
We’re connected online, but we’re more distant in person now. Mostly. The sad reality. I’m also guilty of being distracted easily. That’s why I uninstalled my social media apps on my phone.
What a beautiful sight here, Lois! And great advice.
Taking those apps off your phone is such a helpful move, Lux. Definitely helps us “be here now,” doesn’t it?
Yes to all of this, Lois! We do too often settle for the lesser thing when the greater thing is within our reach. I have to remember to set my phone down when I’m trying to video a moment so I can watch it again later (which is a fine thing, still), instead of living it right now. It’s about balance for me. Beautiful post, friend.
Thanks, Lisa. Yet another area where we have to practice balance, I suppose. I wish I were better at it too!
Yep, the woman thought you were a fan of the TV series. TV has gotten out of hand these days with regular cable TV and all of the streaming services. It has become too much of a distraction just like social media. People always taking pics of themselves trying to get that perfect selfie for social media or showing their friends and followers the food they’re eating at so and so restaurant. Have you ever looked around at people sitting in a restaurant? Hubby and I did this very thing recently. Every table around us was occupied with people staring at their phones – adults, teens, even small children – had their noses in a phone or tablet of some sort. No one was engaging with each other.
I’ve noticed that at restaurants too, Dee, and it always makes me sad. One thing I’m glad we decided early on as a family was no phones at the dinner table–at home or out to eat. Now that my girls are 18 and 21, it’s fun to just sit and talk after supper. Good to hear from you this week!
Love this, Lois! I am definitely guilty of being far too easily pleased by distractions – especially mindless scrolling. Thanks for the wisdom in this! : )
I get distracted by scrolling too, Bethany. It helps me not to have certain apps on my phone, but then I find myself spending too much time on my iPad. groan 🙂
I think our noisy frenetic world is to blame for so much that is wrong with us mentally and spiritually. But I’m as guilty as anyone.
I think you’re right, Lauren.
I thought of Lewis’s quote when I saw your title. It’s difficult to curtail some of these activities, like scrolling through reels, because they are not wrong in themselves. Yet I often spend more time with them than I intended, which took time away from something else I really wanted to do. Someone once said life is not always about choosing between good and bad, but better and best.
Such a good point, Barbara. Oh, for wisdom to choose best.
Lois, I find myself guilty of being led astray by distractions too, but in a different way. Instead of enjoying the sunrises, sunsets and creation on my walks, or snapping photos of them, I am too busy reviewing my To Do List in my head thinking of all I still need to do when I get back from my walk.
C.S. Lewis does make a point!
Aw, Donna … I’m thinking there are times when walks are good for working on to-do lists in our heads and other times when we just need to enjoy the view. 🙂
After trying to capture Alaska’s majestic grandeur 15 years ago, I gave up and simply enjoyed the journey.
Ah, Alaska … that’s definitely a place where savoring is better than documenting!
I read a post last week in which something so similar was shared. Can’t think of who it was but they were taking in the beauty from a mountainside when a family rushed up, snapped their selfie, and quickly left. He wondered if they had even truly taken in the beauty that was behind them. As I sat thinking about your post, the word “bask” came to mind. Do we bask in the presence of our Creator and all He spreads out before us? Bask –> to revel in or luxuriate or enjoy [His Presence]. Do we bask in the company of our family and friends? Taking time to warm up one another’s hearts? Thank you for provoking me to think more on this today!
Ah, Joanne … I love the idea of basking in God’s presence and in the company of my family and friends. Such a timely thought for this holiday weekend when we are spending more time together than usual. Hugs, friend.
I could totally relate to this statement: “Sadly, most of the photos I take of the sunrise on the running trail or the cardinals in my backyard never quite capture the beauty of the real thing.” It’s true. When my oldest stepson was running cross country, I wanted to get all the pics. Rarely did they turn out. Then one day my stepson made a comment about never seeing my face when he was running—just my phone. I decided then that I would put the phone down, enjoy the moment, and maybe take a snapshot in my memory. Wonderful post, Lois.
Thanks, Ashley. 🙂 What a blessing for your stepson that you took his comment to heart. I wonder how many other kids feel the very same way. Happy 4th, friend!
I experience the same photo frustration in Colorado—and eventually I just give up trying to capture the grandeur and settle into enjoyment. Love the Lewis quote!
Michele, that sounds like a good plan for enjoying God’s glorious creation. 🙂