I’ll admit it—I enjoy my tech gadgets. My iPad is great for reading, my phone keeps me in touch with family and friends, and my laptop travels almost everywhere. These tools make life more convenient. I can jump on a Zoom call, write a blog post, or catch up on the latest research without leaving the back porch.

But here’s the thing: as much as I appreciate what technology can do, I’ve learned to keep it in its place. At the end of the day, these devices are just tools. Helpful, yes—but they’re not the main event.

Technology can extend our reach, but it doesn’t replace real connection. A FaceTime call with the grandkids is a gift, but it’ll never top a hug or a shared laugh in person. Scrolling through social media might help me stay updated, but it doesn’t feed the soul the way a real conversation over coffee does.

Even the productivity apps—don’t get me wrong, I love a good system—but sometimes the best clarity comes from sitting quietly with a notepad and pen. There’s something grounding about putting your thoughts on paper, about letting your ideas breathe without a screen between you and them.

So yes, I’ll keep using my tech tools. I’ll enjoy the ways they make life easier and more connected. But I won’t let them distract me from the real magic—that moment of eye contact, that belly laugh, that pause in the day when you’re fully present.

Tech is there to serve us, not run the show. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a call to make—to a certain grandkid who tells the best knock-knock jokes this side of Arizona.