More and more people seem to be totally absorbed in their smartphones. An informal poll at Judson Memorial Church in New York City revealed that one of the greatest fears of elderly members was being knocked down on the street by someone staring at a phone. Distracted walkers have fallen off train platforms, tumbled down stairs, and collided with poles.

Article: The New York Times reports on an Ohio State University Study which discovered that injuries due to distracted walking doubled between 2004 and 2010, resulting in more than 1,500 emergency room visits for broken pelvises, legs and wrists, and injuries to the head and neck. Experts caution the public that this menace may get worse as handheld gadgets become equipped with more extravagant features.

And so we pray this news:
Wise and Faithful Guide, we pray that we may be more thoughtful of others as we take in the latest information from our smartphones and other digital devices. Help us to practice attention and kindness as we interact with others in public places. Help us to learn the pleasures of meditative walking so we can be safe ourselves and not harm others.


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