"We Do Not Ride On The Railraod..."

In 1854, Henry David Thoreau wrote...

“We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”

He used this paradoxical phrase to symbolize the "progress of  technology" (telegraph and the railroad) as a negative that was ruining the environment and America's quality of life...not to mention the millions of buffalo and Native Americans that were exterminated for "progress" aka Manifest Destiny.

Clearly, Thoreau is implying that technology is something that can deceptively and easily control people. Do you ever find yourself spending too much time on the computer, text messaging, watching television, playing video games, cruising YouTube, listening to your iPod, maintaining a blog (ouch that hurt)...are we riding technology or is it riding us?!?

What a great reminder that we probably consider technology much more important than it really is. Let's take time this week to unplug from our busy and distracted lives and enjoy the simpler things...a meaningful conversation with a friend or family member, the beauty of nature, the intrigue of a good book, the joy of helping others, a quiet walk, telling someone how much you love them, watching the sun set, etc. 

"SIMPLIFY!"