My Most Important Message
This message tends to be cyclical as you usually hear it around holidays, a national tragedy, or around presidential election time. However, I think it is good to be reminded of it in general so here it is; UNPLUG. Regularly and without apology. Take one day a week to vacation from your phone/computer.
This can be beneficial for several reasons, not the least of which is to disconnect from the artificial world we create for ourselves so we can reserve space for differing thoughts, people, and experiences. Back 70 years ago national news had a slower pace. Stories unfolded over a longer time period and people could disconnect from media until the next cycle. Today’s coverage is instantaneous and constant which can take an emotional toll. News outlets get more traction with scary and attention-grabbing headlines making things out to be more urgent or dreadful than they really are.
When is the last time you played or did something for the pure fun of it? Play is a child-like quality we must not let go of. What are your hobbies? When was the last time you got sunshine? Touched grass? Played with a child without checking your phone? Got your hands in dirt or dough? Made something with your hands? Watched a sunset? Played a boardgame? Went to a worship service? Threw a ball for Fido or scratched behind Fluffy’s ears? Took a cooking class or volunteered somewhere? We were made for connection. And yes, it is work; relationships are work. People disappoint and were never meant to be placed on the throne of our hearts. There are certainly circles of closeness that people will move in and out of as time goes by. Each one of those connections provides us with a sense of belonging and purpose, can be a source of emotional support and encouragement and also a catalyst for personal growth. We are not meant to go through life alone and I fear, due to the increased time we spend online, we trick our brains into thinking we have made connections due to the number of likes a post gets, or new faces you see as you scroll. But this is not real and in fact can ultimately be isolating.
This week I would encourage you to embrace quiet moments and spend some time considering what it would mean to unplug in order to really connect. And also, make time for play!
