Check your pulses...

Today reminded me of the John Mayer song "Great Indoors."  I encountered situations where kids didn't want to go outside and play.  What the heck?  They were excited to go home and play video games but there was no mention of being outside.  Some kids even prefered to stay in at recess instead of go outside and play and to that I say no way, go out and play

(yeah that rhymed but I didn't mean for that to happen.)

What is going on with this not playing outside concept?  Today I escaped outside on my lunchbreak for five minutes of heaven.  Tonight I went out for another bike ride and was surprised by the lack of both kids and adults enjoying the extra dose of amazing weather.  Now I wasn't always this gung ho...(is that how you spell that phrase??)  Anyway, I wasn't always all about being outside.  I spent too many of my summer vacations indoors wasting countless hours watching t.v.  Now my day just doesn't feel right without at least moving my body in some sort of exercise.  Maybe I'm just getting wise in my old age.  ;) 

I wonder how we can make the change for kids.  Technology is great, don't get me wrong, but I think it's really hindering the appreciation we can have for the great outdoors.  Have we forgotten that there is fun to be had beyond the flawless megapixelled screens?  It begs the question, "What can be done about this?" I want to know can I make a big enough impact on my students begin to make a change, to bring up a new generation of people who appreciate, love, care for and enjoy the beauty of simply being outside instead of a generation who becomes increasingly dependent on electronic stimuli.  I don't have the answer, but I hope to find one soon.

Here are the lyrics to John Mayer's song..."The Great Indoors"

Check your pulse it's proof that you're not listening to
The call your life's been issuing you
The rhythm of a line of idle days

Scared of a world outside you should go explore
Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors
The great indoors

Lamplight makes the shadows play
And posters take the walls away
The T.V. is your window pane
The view won't let you down
So put your faith in a late night show
I bet you didn't even know
Depends on how far out you go
The channel numbers change

Scared of a world outside you should go explore
Pull all the shades and wander the great indoors

Though lately I can't blame you
I have seen the world
And sometimes wish your room had room for two

So go unlock the door
And find what you are here for
Leave the great indoors
Leave the great indoors

Check your pulse it's proof that you're not listening to
The call your life's been issuing you
The rhythm of a line of idle days of idle days

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**So next time you have the chance to go explore this great big world God made to enjoy, don't hesitate.  Go for it and grab some sunshine.  You won't regret it.