May The Force Be With You

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Cue the music: Daaa, daaa, da-da-da DAAAAAA, da-da-da DAAAAAA, da-da-da, da-da-da, daaaaaa.

It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships are rising against the Evil Empire.

During the latest battle, rebel spies have stolen secret plans for the Empire’s ultimate weapon: The Algorithm, a hidden code powerful enough to divide and distract an entire planet.

Pursued by the Empire’s sinister agents, Jedi Knights race home aboard their starships. They carry a thoughtful plan that can help people reclaim their power and restore freedom to the galaxy.

Lord Vader knows The Algorithm is a dark Force. It manipulates beliefs and behaviors, spreading fear and chaos. He knows, as Yoda does, “that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

And with suffering, he’s more powerful. 

The Force is everywhere yet subtle. It keeps you company when you’re bored or lonely. It becomes part of your routine. It charms. It uses your biology, the need to feel seen and wanted, against you.

It’s rarely out of reach. You feel it in the mindless grabs during commercials or while waiting in line. The phantom vibration. The ding-ding that pulls you back into its vortex. 

It’s not that smartphones are evil.

No more than the Force itself.​

As Obi-Wan once said:

“The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded.”

We haven’t fully turned to the Dark Side, but we’ve lost our way with our phones. We’ve isolated ourselves behind screens, forgetting that presence, not distraction, is the real Force.

We now spend around 100 days per year on our phones. We pick them up 140 to 205 times per day. That’s about once every five minutes.

That’s time and energy we could use to defeat Vader…​Or train as Jedi Knights.. Or at least pick up a fun hobby if fighting evil isn’t your thing.

Remember, Yoda didn’t say:

“Scroll, you must.”

Smartphones are useful. 

Social media invites connection.  

Apps are helpful. 

But as Yoda might say, “Too much attachment there is… To devices, not the present moment. Put the phone down. Or do not. There is no try.”

It’s time to reclaim our power and time. 

It’s May 4th, and May The Force Be With You.

Michael 

P.S. This month, we’re releasing a new Pause Breathe Reflect app update that will help iPhone users reduce unproductive screen time by up to 50% and reclaim their Force. Now’s the best time to join us because all we have is now. 

And speaking of reclaiming power…

Today is National Ride a Bike Day, and I rode with over 30,000 (talk about a peloton) amazing humans and some very special people from Love Your Brain, a nonprofit helping TBI survivors feel whole again.

If you bought a Choose Joy shirt or supported the ride, thank you for making a difference. I appreciate you!

You also helped me conquer a fear. 

Like a powerful wave, I can get paralyzed with anxiety when crossing very high bridges. Thanks to our Pause Breathe Reflect, I’m getting better, but the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge—connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island—was one I hadn’t defeated until you crossed it with me today. 

Together, we did it with ease and went far today. Thank you! 🤍🌉🚲

And here’s more good news: a generous Love Your Brain donor is matching all donations this week, so if you still wish to contribute, click HERE.

Finally, check out our new episode of Whole Again tomorrow morning to start your week off right.