Stop Fighting, Start Living: Using Technology and Purpose to Transform Your World

I was reminded recently of how easy it is to get sucked into the noise of life.

I’ve been on the road a lot—Phoenix, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, you name it. I’ve recently trained federal court probation officers and staff, connected with first responders, and worked with communities across the country. In every place I visit, one truth stands out: people come from different political, religious, and cultural backgrounds, but deep down, we all want the same things—meaning, belonging, and a good life for our families.

But the internet tries to convince us otherwise.

Just last night, I was messaging with an old friend. Someone I’d always known as thoughtful and reasonable. But there he was—flaming away at me about politics. And I’ll admit, I was tempted to throw fuel on the fire. I had the perfect response typed out. But something stopped me.

I heard that little voice say: “Don’t be part of this.”

While we’re wasting time fighting online, we’re ignoring what’s right in front of us.

• Empty storefronts in our towns.

• Kids who don’t play outside anymore.

• Schools struggling to teach.

• Jobs and neighborhoods we complain about but never try to change.

Technology can be used two ways: it can make you a sheep, blindly scrolling, flaming, and dividing. Or it can empower you to live free—work from anywhere, build the life you want, raise your family with purpose, and take responsibility for the community around you.

I’ve raised nine kids without letting them be controlled by screens. They didn’t have phones growing up—and guess what? They’re thriving. Phones are designed to be easy enough for a toddler to figure out in a day. That’s not the hard part. The hard part is teaching your kids how to live with purpose, discipline, and love.

Instead of ranting about politics or problems miles away, why not…

• Clean up your yard.

• Help a homeless neighbor.

• Talk to someone who looks lonely at the coffee shop.

• Repair what’s broken in your home, your family, your street.

If you’re not willing to do those things, maybe it’s time to stop posting, stop flaming, and start living.

I had to tell myself that last night. I was ready to blast my friend with words. But the better choice was to love him.

That’s what this life is about: loving your people, building your community, and using technology to empower—not enslave—you.