The digital leash grows stronger and shorter. We are now accustomed to seeing our fellow humans looking at a screen ignoring the world and the humanity around them. I am as guilty as any but to be honest it still unnerves me. I was conducting a workshop for recently released prisoners who are in an entrepreneurs program through 
One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of service I have the privilege of doing.
The other night all of the participants were newly released and were wearing ankle bracelets. As we were engaged in a robust and invigorating conversation about life and business development, one of the bracelets starting beeping and vibrating loudly and the owner quickly rose and announced, “Sorry I gotta call my parole officer.” And someone responded, “That beep means you need to recharge the battery!” We all laughed.
We all jump with Pavlovian zeal when our devices beep or vibrate. We all have “parole officers”! (and batteries that die) Our devices will dictate our reality unless we keep perspective and a foot outside of our cell (phone)😉
Take breaks from your devices and smell the roses, write a poem, or go for a walk just to remind yourself that you have a shred of free will left.
Thanks for reading. John