Well, it's been a few days since I've blogged. To be fair, I've been quite busy and then I had computer issues but hopefully I shall be blogging more often now.
It's been interesting.
A day or two ago our old iMac gave up the ghost (at least we think it has). It's our main home computer and the effect on Jobina was fascinating. It was like she went into a panic. No internet! At the same time I left my laptop power cord in Mennville on Tuesday and so until today we didn't have that either. Jobina was crawling the walls! And honestly so was I at first. But after a while I almost started to relish it. After reading Last Child In The Woods I realized how much indirect experience I have (internet, TV, etc) and how little direct I had. I felt like through this little unplanned fast from the internet I was able to get some much needed perspective.
We can live without the internet. Seriously. Anyway, not sure where this is all going but it felt somewhat providential. Do you ever think about your time on the computer (facebook, blogging, surfing) and wonder it is too much? Or wonder what your missing? I told Jobina it would be a cool experiment to go a whole year without any media: TV, movies, internet. I wonder how it would change your life? How would it change you socially, physically, spiritually? I don't think it is necessary for someone to give up all media, but too many of us (OK, I'm really just talking about myself) do not keep it in balance. Like too much sweets, salts, or deep fried foods, we know what we ought to do but lack the willpower to keep it in moderation. . .
Fwd: Grow closer to God and your spouse
5 months ago
9 comments:
Hey Mark, this is Eloa. Last year I tried to get my family to go 1 day a week without screens. Terry didn't support me and so it was hard to enforce it on our children. This year I decided to do it by myself. So every Thursday I deny all screens except if I have to bookwork but then I stay off the internet. It's been good and I realized that I cant always enforce by ideas on others.
Wish I'd known your power cord was in Mennville, I would have brought it back to the city for you.
I'll be in Stonewall tomorrow if you want me to get your cord and bring it with; you could just meet me in Stonewall to get it. You'd just have to arrange for whoever has your cord to drop it off with Sarah tonight.
Nevermind, I reread your post and see you have the cord again. Why didn't you just grab a loaner cord from Jason until you got yours back though?
Hi Eloa,
Thanks for commenting! Yes, these kind of things are impossible to enforce with others - but way to attempt it. I really like your idea, almost like a sabbath from the screens. Perhaps that would be a less radical way to break one's overdependance (although most wouldn't think of it that way) on "the screens." It's good to hear there are others out there noticing the effect the indirect experience media affect their families - and attempting to do something about it.
Jay, no worries, thanks for the offer. The reason I didn't borrow a cord from Jason is that I didn't have time!
I'm sure I'm on the computer too much. A fast from unnecessary usage is a really good idea. I'm seriously going to consider that. Maybe beginnning with one day a week.
Oh, I know I'm on waaay too much. It's something I feel a lot of guilt over, but I'm not sure I'm willing to give it up yet.
I really need to take an internet fast. After all, the only thing Christians love more than the internet is fasting from it! :)
I waste far too much time on Facebook and blogs when I could be cleaning my house, or getting out and socializing with people. I know this, yet I do not change it. Interesting.
We were challenged at church today to go a week without any internet or tv, or texting for those that do a lot of that and in place of those things to read Romans. So Daniel and I are taking up this challenge and tomorrow begins one week of no tv or internet. Yikes! Actually I'm excited to see how the week goes and to spend that time reading God's word instead. I think it will have it's tough moments though.
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