42 Comments
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Linda Hoenigsberg's avatar

This was beautiful to read and such a reminder. I loved "it's your job to make it long." Thank you, Michael.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thanks Linda. As the days become faster with kids and never-ending things to do, I'm thinking more and more about how to make days last longer and the easiest answer is to buck technology as much as possible.

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Linda Hoenigsberg's avatar

I so agree, Michael. It’s become a nightmare.

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Kyara's avatar

What a wonderful read! Thank you for encouraging me to reflect on my happiest memories. I teared up as I read about those two moments with your children. My fondest memories are with my siblings and now with my husband and daughter and indeed no phone was present.

Sometimes, I feel eager to capture the moment, but I remind myself that it’s ours to remember in our minds.

Life is indeed short, let’s hug our loved ones a little tighter and let’s embrace each other’s presence deeper.

What a thoughtful way to start the day 🙏

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Michael Thompson's avatar

So glad this resonated Kyara. Like most people these days, I tend to run so fast that I miss what matters. Taking the time to reflect is I think what keeps me sane and focusing on the good makes it easier to face tomorrow with a smile.

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Sam Messersmith's avatar

Wow. Much of this resonates but this line really caught me: That will never happen if you don’t prioritize your future memories over staring at your phone.

Prioritize your future memories. I'll be thinking of this one for a while.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Sam. Yeah, for me "don't look at your phone" doesn't really persuade me very much, but missing out on life sure does.

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Sam Messersmith's avatar

This!

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Shlee's avatar

Truer words were never spoken. Thank you for the reminder

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Always love seeing your name and picture here Shlee.

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Teyani Whitman's avatar

Each of the moments you have shared with us in this essay are such beautiful snapshots of what I most enjoy about getting to know you.

As imperfect beings, who all tend to say no in the first moment, we hopefully grow into those who grin and say yes a minute later.

Someday when your sons are reading back through your essays and taking in how much you love them, they will understand in addition to be a good dad, what a good human you are.

I’m happy to learn more about you Michael. You offer hope in a world that has been ugly recently.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you for this Teyani. I'm trying to keep it hopeful...which isn't always easy as there are times I want to join in on the yelling but I've never been good with microphones. Much better suited for softer messages.

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Jo Theodosopoulos's avatar

I had to sit down on my kitchen floor to finish it. It made me weak in the knees.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

So glad it resonated Jo and your comment is the ultimate compliment. Thank you.

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Samson Midigo's avatar

I loved this piece. I can identify with it in many ways. Most of all, I loved the simplicity of it at a practical level. Thank you for sharing this.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Samson.

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Sophie S.'s avatar

Interestingly the second article I read today that is telling me to connect with the people around me and put my phone down. There must be a message here somewhere... 🤔

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Hahaha. Probably. As I'm typing this into my phone;). Imperfect creatures we are. I remind myself a lot when I'm looking at my phone and my kids are around "Is anything I'm going to read be as interesting as what my kids are working on?" The answer is always no.

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James Bailey's avatar

“It’s your job to make it long.”

Nuff said.

Genius Michael.

💪👏

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you James. Working on something in the background on this topic and glad it spoke to you.

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Amali Nimaya's avatar

Such a lovely read!

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Amali.

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S.L. Morrison's avatar

Well said!

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iL.'s avatar

You have a real talent for capturing the small and fleeting moments. Beautiful piece, and one that made me pause in an otherwise unrelenting day. Will put my phone away now — thanks for writing this.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thanks man. Means a lot coming from you. PS - I like the "iL." Great visual balance. You may like the work my buddy Genis does. https://studiocarreras.com/shop

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iL.'s avatar

Appreciate it, Michael. Great website, I love the design, very visually appealing.

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Katharina's avatar

Beautiful.

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Thank you Coco. Beautiful is the goal right now as seems harder and harder to come by.

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Maghan Haggerty's avatar

Another beautiful piece Michael! Made me think of times with my beloved parents who have been gone for over a decade. The moments I remember with them are the simplest ones. The three of us sitting in the living room watching some awful TV show but being in that room, simply with them…I’d give anything to experience that again.

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Victoria Marty's avatar

Brilliant piece, Michael! And yes, mobile phones won't make us happy!

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BEE Channel's avatar

Great memories. Thanks for sharing.

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