Dear heart, your scarf is on the floor, I heard this elderly voice mumble in between my songs switching on my cell phone. Excuse me, I respond, annoyed. Look down, your scarf is dragging on the floor. I have been trying to tell you for the past few stops, but you wouldn’t look up. I didn’t want to bother you but it’s a beautiful scarf, you don’t want it to get dirty, she says as she exits the train.
I pick up my footprint-covered black scarf and instantly feel bad. Not only was I totally rude to the woman, but she was right: I was so engrossed in my phone that I was completely zoned out, paying no attention whatsoever to my immediate environment and the people in it. That got me to wondering what else I was missing out on with my eyes constantly glued to that seven-inch screen. For lunch, work breaks, train rides, walking to the store, standing in line, I am always on my phone. I’m even on my phone in the presence of others, only giving them a third of my attention. In that moment contemplating on the train, I couldn’t remember a time when my phone didn’t have my attention.
As I looked around the train car, I began to notice many handsome men were riding along with me. Many of them smiled, nodded, winked. With my phone down it was an invitation for them to make contact. My phone remained in my purse the rest of the way home and boy! the guys were everywhere. I don’t know if they were single or not, but what eye candy.
I’m still completely addicted to my phone, as the business life must carry on, but I do make it a habit to go without it at certain points during the day so I can look up and take in the world. Ladies, if you’re single and ready to mingle, look up.