5 Seconds?

Do you hear your phone ring (or buzz) and immediately respond? Can you leave it alone for a few minutes, or are you compelled to answer/respond to each text message instantly?

Modern Uberdox has this to say in his post "5 Second Rule":
Recently I've expanded this rule to my cell phone.  When I get a text I make myself wait at least five seconds before even reaching for my phone because I want to remember that I'm in charge, not my phone. 

I think a lot about this idea. Do I control my technology or does it control me? There is power in choosing when and how to respond to each text or email, even each phone call. There are some calls that I answer immediately. But others? I consider what I'm doing and make a conscious choice. Having a cell phone keeps me in constant contact if I want it. But I can choose to put the phone aside and choose control.

This is aside from the idea of Shabbat - this is making a choice on a regular, daily basis.

How do you handle your texts and phone calls? Who is in charge - you or your phone?
Can you wait 5 seconds?


Thanks to the Rebbetzin's Husband for this week's Haveil Havalim (and the link to the post that inspired this one!)