2004 Newsletter Sept -Dec Page 39 Leanne's Tips for Happy Living, Floral Design Institute, Floral design school, floral school, floral classes, floral supplies, floral videos, home study, wedding design

image 004.11.00.13.38-Knitting-Hands.gif (49720 bytes)

Take Charge of Technology. The promised benefits of technology can be realized only if we remember to use the on/off switch. If your television is always on, if you can’t enjoy a meal at home without an interrupting phone call, if someone in your family is always surfing or gaming on the computer, if you feel that you never have any time for yourself - you have lost control of technology. My answer; turn it off and if you can’t turn it off, throw it out. I gave my television away in July of 1996 and haven’t had one in my home since. I was amazed at how much more time suddenly appeared in my day.

I began to read more, I took up knitting, David and I had real conversations, we ate leisurely meals together, we went out to see movies, theater and concerts. Turning off the television is without doubt the easiest way to gain time in your schedule and improve your total sense of well being. The television habit keeps us from exercising and from spending quality time with those that we love. Television depresses us with meaningless, sensationalized news stories and hypes what advertisers and celebrities feel your priorities should be and that usually involves adding more stuff to your life, not simplifying your life.

Getting rid of the television was such a wonderful experience I decided to get rid of the telephone in my home. Again, a marvelous experience. No, I haven’t completely shut out the world, I’ve just taken control of the technology. Everyone needs a refuge and your home should be a refuge. A quiet, private place that you share uninterrupted time with friends and family. Learn to limit what and who you allow into your refuge and take control of the technology.

Re-think the Automobile. Ask yourself this question, “What activity in your daily life makes you the craziest”? If you are like most people, the answer is “driving”. The streets and freeways are jammed with automobiles during the work day rush hour, actually, most of the day. The speed limit may be 55 mph but you rarely go more than 15 mph in bumper to bumper traffic. When the traffic does thin and the roads open up, inconsiderate drivers recklessly speed, weave in and out of traffic without signaling then suddenly brake. Oblivious drivers with cell phones stuck to their ears drift across lanes and miss traffic signals. It’s a miracle that road rage is not a bigger problem.

Like nearly everyone in America I used to drive thousands of miles every year. A 25 mile commute to and from work every day, drive to the grocery, drive to a restaurant, drive to everything. As the business grew I was forced to move closer in order to save time. Saving time turned out to be the least of the benefits. By eliminating 90 minutes of driving I also eliminated the biggest stress of the day. Not only did I have more time to focus on my work but I arrived each morning refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of the day.

Next Page >

Click Here for the Floral Design Institute Home Page