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Well, I did it, for seven whole days I did not go online once, did not chat with my sister, update my facebook, listen to Itunes, send or receive any emails, or look up a single recipe online. Not only that but I also did not watch a single movie or any television. I wondered when I started this mental detox if I would come out the other end with some incredible insights, but really I was just reminded of the things that I already knew. Here’s just a few of those little reminders….
The world, or my life rather, does still go on without computers…as do the lives of millions of others who have no access to or may have never even heard of a computer.
I say I’m busy, but in reality I’m not too busy to do the things that are important to me…and those things that I’m too “busy” for, well I simply haven’t chosen to make time for them. Sadly I saw that sometimes I make time for the frivolous things and am too “busy” for those things that should be considered essential, like reading the Word, praying, and spending time with those I love.
My husband likes peanut butter cookies…and I’ve only made them for him a handful of times in the four plus years we’ve been married.
Emailing is efficient but there is something so sweet and wonderful in hearing my sister giggle or my mom giving motherly advice on the phone.
I’m not bad at phone talking like I have always thought, just not practiced at it and usually too distracted to really focus on the conversation (hmmm strange how much easier it was to focus when I didn’t have my computer).
I LOVE music and REALLY missed my Itunes.
Seeds that say they take 7-14 days to germinate really grow a LOT faster when you plant them in a little greenhouse.
Lunch tastes better when it’s being eaten outside, in the sunshine, sitting on the grass.
I like reading the newspaper, it makes me feel knowledgeable about local and national events…and it reminds me of my Grandpa Krischke.
Draper (a nearby city) has an incredible library that makes me want to snuggle up in one of their cozy couches that over look the lovely meadow and just read for hours.
Little Women is a wonderful story that I will always love reading…no matter how many times I’ve read it.
No matter how many times I’ve read it, I will always cry when Beth dies.
I get better at the violin when I play it regularly (I told you these weren’t new brilliant ideas but reminders of things I already knew).
I miss my wonderful Timber Valley family.
I am a loop fanatic (ask Kris).
When I don’t have as many things cluttering up my daily routine it’s easier to be spontaneous and not feel guilty about it.
Being spontaneous is almost always fun.
Sometimes being a good friend means just listening while the other person vents. You can’t listen through an email nearly as well as you can on the phone and you can’t listen on the phone nearly as well as you can in person.
Jennika has a really cute giggle and making her laugh is totally worth the work!
I would trade my laptop, movies, and internet connection any day for wonderful friends, old and new.
So there you go! This last week was such a good reminder to me of the things that are important and the things that are nice and convenient to have but NOT essential…like this blog. I love that I can just click a couple keys and have hundreds of new recipes at my finger tips. I love that I can connect so quickly with those I love. But I think that sometimes and in someways the conveniences cheapen the treasure that is relationships and the limited resource of our valuable time. I’ve heard Kris say before that, to him, a demonstration of how valuable something is to somebody is how much of their time they are willing to put into it (be it a person, event, etc.) If this is true, and I do believe that it is, I’ve allowed some precious relationships to be neglected because they weren’t convenient. I’ve chosen to shoot off an email rather than make a phone call because it’s faster; just a few clicks and it’s done. But what have I missed by not actually interacting with that person? I’m not saying that all those things I gave up are bad, they are wonderful but they come at a cost. The question I’m left asking is when is the convenience not worth the cost? I don’t have any answers, maybe you do. I’d love to hear your thoughts on things. I’ll leave you with a couple relevant lines from Inherit the Wind, a classic play that Kris and I recently enjoyed:
“Gentleman, progress has never been a bargain. You’ve got to pay for it. Sometimes I think there’s a man behind a counter who says, ‘All right, you can have a telephone; but you’ll have to give up privacy, the charm of distance. Madam, you may vote; but at a price; you lose the right to retreat behind a powder-puff or a petticoat. Mister, you may conquer the air; but the birds will lose their wonder, and the clouds will smell of gasoline!'”
Next Article Babbling Jennika
6 thoughts on “Mental Detox Review”
April 30, 2008 at 9:07 pm
What is a loop fanatic?
May 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Wow. This is amazing, Nikki. I am so convicted by the part about email/phone. I HATE talking on the phone but realizing it might be a “sacrifice” (feeling awkward) to make a friend feel like I care. Hmmm…
Also, I’m going to offer a similar for my LiveDifferent Challenge this wek and reference you… is that ok? Wait…maybe I should call to ask you. 🙂
Pingback: LiveDifferent Challenge (6): Unplugged | Kari Patterson
May 10, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I love you Nikki. You made my day.
By the way, What is a loop fantastic?
May 10, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Okay, I’ll answer the most commonly asked question about this post, Kris calls me a loop fanatic because I like to hike a loop rather than and out-and-back hike. I think they are more interesting.
Pingback: LiveDifferent Challenge (14): Get Marginalized! (Time) | Kari Patterson
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