2025, it's your time to get outside!

When I got my Nintendo in the 80's, I didn’t think it would have any impact on children’s lives. The computer age has brought some great feats, but it changed the way people entertain themselves.

According to the U.S Department of Statistics, the average American spends 3 or more hours a day watching TV or on their phones. I hoped that Canadians spend a little less but a recent study confirmed the same.

Kids spend more of their time in front of a screen than they do riding bikes, playing ball or hanging out in the park with a few friends.

Growing up in an isolated small town in northern Manitoba may have been my saving grace. With no cable TV – just a couple channels that we didn’t want to watch anyway – we were forced to find something else to do.

With a bunch of broken down swings and some partially rotten playground fixtures we could go on an adventure to anywhere imaginable. Girls and boys would play together; teenagers would try to get dates with others on babysitting duty; and socialization was part of everyday life — not a website you go to.

Today, boys and girls send video and text messages their friends to chat all day; we used to pick up a phone and make arrangements to go out. We all go on social media to tell the world what we are doing; back then we would do something and not care if everyone knew.

With so many facilities at our fingertips I find it disappointing to drive down the street and see the empty parks and soccer fields without children running around. Even house decks seem to be empty.

The challenge today is getting everyone off their addicted devices and get outside.

Survivor, The Voice, X-Factor and the new Netflix binge series — it is easy to watch one of these “must see shows” after a long workday. And parents put their kids in front of the TV to make sure they are entertained. It is the norm but it is disappointing to see how many people these days lack social skills, social media skills are not the same skills.

But getting out is a great way to let go of the day’s problems and just wind down. Sitting on the couch is a great way to turn off the world, but why do so many people waste time sitting on their couches? I am sure there are a few studies for that to, it is easier than doing something like going for a walk. I hope the world starts to find its way back to the old ways before it’s to late.

We like to go sit on the side of the river and listen to the world go by, it is not in a rush, it is steady and always changing. Watching the ducks year-round thinking they are crazy to be here in -30 or the calls of the loons – that is more relaxing than watching Yellowstone.

We should all take advantage of this great world, because some day when you turn off the TV; you may realize it is too late and it’s all gone.