It is too easy to become a ‘slave’ to your TV, car, mobile phone, computer, Sat Nav or any other technology, if you choose to. My car continually nags me to give it a service, put my seat belt on, etc. Several people have followed their Sat Nav to the village of Maiden Newton, when our address is Stratton, despite my warning them of this common error. The response is ‘it told me to go there’.

It is reported that some children are now so addicted to their phones that they imagine it is ringing, even when it’s not. What problems are we creating for future generations?

Many years ago, people had no choice about becoming slaves and were captured by slave masters. Are we becoming our own technology slave masters?

As human’s, we have that freedom of choice between stimulus and response. I believe it would be a great shame if we gave that up, especially to a silicon chip.

“Anyone who by his nature is not his own man, but is another’s, is by nature a slave”  Aristotle (384-322 BC)

It is a campaign to change attitudes, and behaviour too. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in our lifetime. Those that do are highly likely to face stigma and discrimination from others. This is an important issue for employers to start addressing in the workplace.

If you would like to find out more then visit http://time-to-change.org.uk/ . They are being supported by celebrities, organisations and others who have faced mental health issues.

“Many are not aware of the services and support available to them and only seek help once the condition has deteriorated, often months or even years later. By this point, the person with memory loss and the carer are often isolated and cut off from community support previously provided by friends and neighbours and through participation in hobbies and leisure activities.

“The new memory advisory service in Dorset will offer a much improved service by signposting help available and taking advantage of the well-established networks, partnerships, and shared vision between the county council, NHS Dorset, Age UK and other private and voluntary sector providers.” Dorset County Council

To find out more, ring the central contact number: 01305 263113 or e-mail: masadmin@acdorchester.org

There are several U3A’s across Dorset, so why not discover one near you?  I attended the Dorchester one, which has some 400 members and is registered as one of our Brain Cells. I was very impressed with the friendliness, energy and enthusiasm in the meeting. As Eric Midwinter, co-founder, proclaims:  ’I am an older citizen, not a social causality, and, collectively with my friends, I am inventing my own destiny’.

This was a comment from one participant of the Activate Dancing group.  http://activateperformingarts.org.uk/2011/12/14/a-dance-a-day-celebrates-a-successful-term-in-dorset.

You only have to watch Strictly Come Dancing to see how much thinking as well as physical activity has to go on. The brain thrives on mental and physical activity, so why not find out more about what is on in your area?