I brought my family to watch Toy Story 5 earlier today. Like most Pixar movies, it was entertaining enough for the children while quietly slipping a message to the adults.
The theme that stood out to me was how much time modern families spend on screens and gadgets. Children are often blamed for it, but if we are honest, many adults are not much better. We check emails, market prices, news updates and social media, sometimes all before breakfast.
Watching the movie reminded me that relationships are built through attention. Not notifications, not likes, and certainly not another hour of scrolling. This is one reason I continue to meditate every day.
Meditation does not mean giving up technology or moving to a cave somewhere. It simply gives the mind a chance to slow down. Over time, I have found that it also helps me become more present with the people around me.
The best conversations I have had with family and friends rarely involved a screen. They usually happened over a meal, a walk, a cup of coffee, or occasionally while watching a movie together.
Despite my rather busy schedule, I still try to make time for these moments. Markets will open again. The latest headline will be replaced by another one. Time spent with family is a little harder to recover.
Who would have thought that a movie about toys would end up delivering a gentle reminder about meditation and relationships? Woody may not be a meditation teacher, but he made a reasonable case for putting the phone down once in a while.
