Curbing the modern man’s addiction

The most pathetic sight I’ve seen in Kigali so far is of the so called modern man. He dons a well pressed and fitting suit and an equally impressive pair of shoes; you can’t help but envy him. But taking a closer look, you will find huge headphones on around his ears and a rucksack on his back carrying his precious MacBook Pros and iPods while nursing his iPhone5 in both his hands like his life depends on it! Today the ‘gadget guy’ feels like these things are necessities, not a luxury. He can’t breathe without them. They are the air he breathes, the food he eats and the blood that runs through his veins. He literally cannot live without these gadgets. But if you are the ‘modern intelligent man’ that you claim to be, it is important to be the boss of your gadget and not the slave! Using anything in excess frequently becomes a source of disturbance. It is important to prevent this. You may use gadgets but not to the point of obsession. Do not get too dependent on them. Do not fall prey to comparison, there’s no need to use a gadget just because so and so is using it. Do things in a way that suits you and is beneficial to you. Always remember that every activity has its value and should not be neglected at the cost of another. Sleep and rest are very important and should not be ignored. Sometimes one can’t help but feel sorry for a colleague who comes to work with puffy red eyes after a sleepless night spend playing with his gadgets – it would make more sense if he actually spent it drinking or dancing the night away. Choose not to give in to the calling of those widgets and instead go socializing. Go out with friends and family. Meet your relatives. And while with them, do not remain glued to your electronic totes. Break the spell and be the master that you are.I strongly pray for the day when we’ll all be able to log off Facebook, put away the Ray Bans and look each other in the eyes, have a healthy conversation, visit our folks in the village and spend a weekend with them or play ball with our kids. Until then, it’s important to look around and see where our priorities are and where they should be.