I'm interested in my health -- my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. (My "relational" health, too.) My weight is a symptom, and I'm interested in getting at the cause.
But this post actually isn't about the juice fast at all. At least, not directly.
The other night, as I was going to bed, I was feeling overwhelmed -- weighed down by problems and pressures. I was feeling as though my life had become too heavy. And for some reason my not-quite-ready-for-sleep mind focused on -- of all things -- my phone.
I found myself longing for a phone that was . . . well . . . a phone. Just a phone. Something to make and receive phone calls with. Instead, I carry around with me a phone; an address book; my calendar; my e-mail; FaceBook; twitter; the internet; copies of the Bible, the Qur'an, the Bahagavad Gita, the Upanishands, a Book of Shadows, the writings of St. Francis and Brother Lawrence; a set of tarot cards and rune stones; and a host of other apps that virtually guarantee that I will never have a quiet moment to simply look up at the sky and marvel. (No, I've got a camera with me all the time that'll turn that sense of awe into the action of trying to get a good picture of it!)
So . . . two days ago . . . I lost some weight. I spent about half an hour unloading apps from my phone. I dropped most of the games I'd accumulated (mostly because my kids were playing them on their devices). I dropped some of the cool gizmos that no one really wants or needs. I even dropped my mobile connection to FaceBook.
And I feel lighter. It's only been a couple of days, but while I am amazed at how often I reach for my phone, it feels good to remember that I don't have that app with me anymore so I can put the phone done and just be where I am.
A fast -- whether from solid food, or from certain kinds of food, or from particular forms of media, or from specific behaviors -- as fast is just a tool to help us recognize how "heavy" we have become in our daily lives and to remind us that we have choices to make.
Some day I might even get that phone of my dreams.
In the meantime, I will bow to you . . .
In Gassho,
RevWik
Print this post
4 comments:
Again, rock (or fast) on, my Rev. Impressed and supportive of all your efforts to fast/detox from what you've identified as unhealthy distractions. Thanks again for inspiring me, in a different way.
Thank you, thank you! My unhealthy addiction (nerd alert!) is NPR radio. Radio IQ is tunneling into my brain during all my waking hours. You've inspired me to cut my listening hours way down along with less time with the morning papers.
Cell phone with just a camera works just fine and I feel no void in my life without Facebook.
I recognize from the amount of time I spend in front of my computer how addictive a smart phone and social media could be for me. Self protection not to let them in!
In gratitude -
Natalie
My phone is my phone - make calls, receive calls - and not even in my apartment 'cause it doesn't work there. So, if I want to make or receive a call I have to go outside. That feels fine. I call when I want and receive when convenient. Oh, yeah, I subscribe to Skype if I really have to make a call indoors or get one without freezing to death.
I am amazed at how whereever I look people are on/in/about/behind their "phones."
Erik, you are on to something - and maybe there is a middle ground where we can stay in touch yet have the time and space for contemplation, peace, and allowing the spirit to enter and fill us.
Arthur Rashap
I'm glad to see your blog is back. I enjoy reading it, and it really gets me to think.
Post a Comment