Calm, Cool and Connected Giveaway

It’s a very beautiful Wednesday here in Kansas today! I have some mowing I want to catch up on this afternoon.

I’m slipping into my chair today and typing away at my keyboard a bit to share this book and a giveaway for a copy.

Here’s an excerpt from the back cover ~

“Let’s face it: most of us are on our phones or computers way more than we’d like to be, and more than what’s even beneficial. Overuse of technology can be harmful to our health and relationships, and we know that, but how can we rewire our digital habits for a healthier life?

In Calm, Cool, and Connected, Arlene Pellicane will walk you through an easy 5-step plan that will help you center your life on Jesus and love others better by decluttering your screen time. By introducing a few, easy habits into your daily routine, you can transform your relationship with technology and enjoy a life less mediated by a screen, one more full of God’s presence and the presence of others.”

Here’s a few of my favorite things about this book ~

 ~ it’s a very easy read and it’s conversational and companionable. For me it was inspirational and written in a “me-too” attitude versus a “preachy-only-way-to-do-things” attitude. 🙂  If that makes sense! I never relate well when I feel an author or speaker comes across in a my-way-or-the-highway type of an attitude. 🙂

~ Arlene Pellicane uses the word HABIT and breaks it into an acronym to motivate and inspire good online habits and choices and attitudes.
H = Hold Down the Off Button
A = Always Put People First
B = Brush Daily: Live With a Clean Conscience
I = I Will Go Online With Purpose
T = Take a Hike

~ I appreciate Arlene’s emphasis on intentionality, yet she doesn’t throw fun browsing or healthy connections on social media completely out. She recognizes there is a place for both.

~ each chapter ends with a prayer for that particular area and point.

~ I always enjoy the inspiration I gain from a good book that pertains to things in my life. This book inspired me to think more intentionally about my phone and my time.

I love my phone and I love a lot of things about the internet. Oh, yes, there are pros and cons, just like there is in anything. Much of the internet is positive for me. I do not read the news much. I ignore drama and delete negative comments. I focus on the good. I don’t need any more ugly or unneeded hype in my life. Quite frankly, the news media makes me angry. I believe they are a powerful force that stirs up dissension and strife.
For the most part, the internet is a positive tool for me. I like to be able to look up information and I like the ability to shop online. I like staying in touch {loosely} with long distance friends and family. I love the beauty and inspiration offered through creativity and words and photos. I’ve met some lovely people and friends.
My phone has helped me with blogging tasks, but it can also be a distraction and it’s easy to mindlessly scroll sometimes!
I do appreciate it very much all the same. 🙂
I have most notifications turned off. I often turn the sound down or off. I don’t always read or answer texts right away. I often let calls go to voicemail. I’ve never liked having my phone in my bedroom. I DO feel strange if I forget my phone when I leave the house! I rarely do forget it. 🙂 I don’t like checking my phone when I’m having lunch with a friend or in a group for something. I will on occasion, since I’m often unofficially on-call for my farmer man. I do answer when he calls. I sometimes like having my phone in a Bible study setting to easily look up a reference or verse.
We don’t bring our phones or devices to our table when we gather around to eat a meal. We will use them in the evenings when we’re all hanging out in the basement.
I don’t mind reading or scrolling on phones at times when hanging out with really good friends or family and we’re both comfortable with it.
This is simply some of what I do or don’t do. I don’t have it perfect. I waste time. On phone and off phone!!! 🙂
But it was fun to me to read this short book and evaluate myself.
‘Cause at the end of the day, we all have to be aware and figure out what works best for ourselves and our families.

A few random facts and trivia from the book that stood out to me ~

The average American checks their phone forty-six times a day. 

One study based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain revealed that two minutes of silence is more relaxing than listening to calming music.

Dr. Gary Chapman offers this in praise of being still: Life has to be balanced. Most of life is going to be scheduled, but there needs to be some time when you don’t have to be doing anything. There’s a place for getting a bucket of water and putting a stick in it, and stirring it around.

Past generations seem to have made a clearer delineation between work and leisure time. My family enjoys watching old TV shows like Little House on the Praire. Charles Ingalls, works hard in the day and plays his fiddle in the family room at night. He can sit in his doorway quietly after his children are in bed and replenish his spirit for another workday.

I found this book to be positive and practical coupled with good warnings and a good system to check myself and how I use these digital tools.

ENTER if you’d like a chance to win a copy of your own!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

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