I remember seeing my Grandfather read the local paper on a daily basis when I was growing up.  He would often send me down his long driveway to retrieve the newspaper that had just been delivered. He was known to put the newspaper in the oven to dry out if it happened to be a rainy day, and his newspaper had gotten wet. Back then, people read the local newspaper on a daily basis to read about what was happening in their community, who had died, who was getting married, and birth announcements.  Until about ten years ago, I would also read the newspaper on a daily basis or at a minimum at least read the Sunday paper.  The world wide web went public in 1993.  I don’t think any of us could envision what a game changer that would be.  Now in 2022, we are supposedly more informed and connected than ever before.  Our local newspaper now offers a digital version in addition to the less popular print version.  Also, it is no longer a daily paper.  So, in the here and now, what does it mean to have access to so much information?  I find myself having to make a concerted effort to focus on what is really important and deserves my attention, and what doesn’t.  

The other day I was checking the daily news on MSN.com.  I scrolled mindlessly.  I think we are all well aware of the current mess of our economy and country regardless of what side of the isle you are on.  Gas and groceries are both at an all time high.  Then, I see something about Prince Harry and Megan Markle.  Click, and before I know it I am reading about whether they did or did not get the permission of Queen Elizabeth to name their baby Lillibet.  A childhood pet name of the Queen of England.  I was about half way through the article, and I thought to myself.  “Who cares?!!”  Why is that even news?  I clicked back to the original news page without even finishing reading that nonsense article.  How much of our day is spent reading nonsensical pieces like that? Back in the day, people would purchase their weekly National Enquirer. They would catch up on all the latest Hollywood gossip and other half truth stories, and then go on about their daily lives. We are now bombarded on a daily basis with news of an overpaid star athlete or some actor that has come out of the closet. Reading or watching tv shows about people’s lives that hold no bearing in our lives is a complete waste of time.  Don’t even get me started on the Kardashians!

So what is important?  What should we be focusing on?  At the age of 51, I would say focus on your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, your family, and your circle of friends.  We all seem to have convinced ourselves that we are so busy.  I would dare say, our grandparent’s generation worked a lot harder with a lot less than we do these days.  Yet, they knew what was important.  They weren’t sucked into the world wide web abyss and trash tv.  They got together to play cards, went on Sunday drives to get an ice cream or visit their extended family.  They probably knew more of what was going on in the lives of their family and friends than we do today.  Back then, they were truly connected.  

So here we are.  Halfway through 2022.  What can we do this month to change our mind set of what is important and what is not?  

Here is my checklist of things I am going to do this month to shift my way of thinking:

• Pick one book, and read from start to finish. I used to be an 

                avid  reader, but in the past few years my passion for reading has

                 waned.  It is something I have always enjoyed, but haven’t made

                  time for lately.

• Call an old friend, and make time for a lunch date.  

• Make a concerted effort to disconnect from Social Media for a         

                         day, a week, or maybe even a month.

• Take time to sit on the porch, and actually talk to your spouse.    

                Not just the day in and day out conversation.  Really talk to   

                them.  This person is your life partner.  You are a team.  

                Talk about anything that is bothering you.  Plan a date night

                or a breakfast date.      

•  Mail a card or two.  My grandmother always did this.  It is so 

                         easy to send a quick text or message on Facebook, but 

                         sending a card in the mail takes it to the next level.  It can be a   

                         cute card with a little note letting them know you are thinking

                         of them.

So…have any of you noticed a theme?  I think we all could use a nice healthy dose of going old school.  I have mentioned before that I am from Generation X.  A generation that remembers life before the fast paced world we live in now. A time when we were not connected by the world wide web, but where we were connected in all the ways that mattered in how we cared about each other.  I think it’s time we all stop, and take a long hard look at what is really important.  Once you are done with your inner reflection, make changes accordingly.  Don’t get so immersed in the nonsense of Hollywood, TikTok, and Facebook that you neglect the relationships that truly matter.  Family and Friends.

As I am writing this post, a dear friend of mine that I wrote about in my last post is in the final stages of her terminal illness.  A year and a half ago, I lost my sister, and now that dear friend is on the final leg of her journey here on earth.  These are inevitable life events that we will all eventually be affected by, if not already.  My focus changed when my sister died.  We none know the length of our stay here on earth.  Live a purposeful life.  Make changes as needed to shift your focus where it needs to be.  Love hard.  Laugh harder.  Sometimes it will be through the tears, but give this life everything you’ve got.  Let the nonsense fall by the wayside.

Love to all,

Stella Elaine

P.S. Wishing you all a safe and wonderful Independence Day!

P.S.S. My checklist seems to be formatting kind of wonky. Hope you can overlook that, and decipher through what I am trying to say.