Take me back to the 90s, when there were no smart phones and internet usage was limited. When there were no GroupMe, TeamSnap, group chats, or classroom posts to keep up with. Communication for practice times was a phone chain. Remember that? All you had to do was call the next person on your list.
Take me back to the 90s, when shopping involved going to an actual store. When Parisian was the superior department store, and Abercrombie and Express were the places to be. We shopped for things at the mall or browsed just for fun. We lived for the Clinique bonuses.
Take me back to the 90s, before we knew so much about chemicals in detergents and processed foods… I’m thankful for new health knowledge, but I miss the days when cereal was considered “healthy.” And I’m just saying, no one judged Kevin on Home Alone when he came home with the Tide detergent.
Take me back to the 90s, when there were no text messaging or Facebook comments. Relationships and conversations were real. Friendships were probably fewer, but deeper.
Take me back to the 90s, with sitcoms and Saved by the Bell. Where they did stupid things, felt sorry, and learned a lesson. When telling the truth was kind.
Take me back to the 90s, when we listened to our tape and flipped it over and listened to the other side. Sure we had to get through the boring songs to hear the good ones, but it was kind of nice to have less options, to listen to the songs in order.
Take me back to the 90s, when we went to the video store instead of scrolling endlessly through hundreds of movie options. It was a thrill to get the new releases, and we made sure to watch our movie because we paid to rent it. And then we had to be kind and rewind. Duh.
Take be back to the 90s, when people were famous for actual talent. Movies were original and good, and we thought maybe even we could be tornado chasers or drill a hole in an asteroid if needed.
It’s fair to say that I was not an adult in the 90’s. I’m sure our parents would have loved some of the conveniences we have. But I think generally speaking we’ve traded some things that were real for things that are fast, quick, and easy. Cheap substitutes. Text messages and Instagram comments are cheap substitutes for real friendship- with ups and downs, sacrifices made, and real time spent together just doing regular things. Our smart phones have given us a false sense of real connection and a false sense of “wisdom.”
I saw something the other day that said in the 90s we used the internet to take a break from real life. Now, we use real life to take a break from the internet. It’s true, isn’t it? I’m addicted to my phone just as much as anyone. But it’s a distraction.
So take me back to the 90s… except maybe with GPS thrown in. I won’t go back to Mapquest- I draw a hard line there.
Lord, help me to put down my phone and live my life.
Pinestraw Mountain 