September 24, 2014

I Survived


Last fall I committed to one year of unplugged Saturdays. Fifty-two Saturdays, no computer, no Internet, no exceptions. At first this seemed radical. Now it's normal. Not only did I survive the year, I thrived. Saturdays free of search engines, email, and social media are a relief not a burden.

One year ago, these were my thoughts: "I can't be unplugged every Saturday. I'll miss opportunities. I'll limit myself." These thoughts felt real, but they weren't true. The truth: I can unplug every Saturday; I missed nothing; I'm not limited, I'm free.

It's easy to believe the stories in our heads. They seem real. They are real, because that's our experience. But they're not always true. I see this regularly in meditation. Thoughts arise, I come back to the breath, thoughts arise with more fervor, I come back to the breath, different thoughts arise (wait, what happened to the previous storyline?), I come back to the breath, fear arises, I come back to the breath, different thoughts arise (wait, what happened to the fear?), I come back to the breath, thoughts arise, I come back to the breath.

Mindfulness provides a clearer lens. I don't believe all my thoughts. I try not to know for sure. Instead, I stay open to people and ideas. I surprise myself. And I savor my unplugged Saturdays.

10 comments:

  1. Now that I am living in Provence, I will give them a try as well, with you as my leading light and inspiration. Warm hug and thank you for sharing your beauty: I'm in awe because of the second picture and the landscape and sense of freedom in the first one strongly speak to me ...

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    1. elke! it's so good to hear from you. i've been thinking of you, wondering about the move. yay that you're in your new home. love and hugs to you!

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    2. Thank you, dear Joy! The moment we'll have moved to our own house here, I will reserve some hours to handwrite letters and cards again ... I'll be sitting in your mailbox soon! Happy weekend and wishing you the most adorable season of fall ...

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  2. It's truly a beautiful feeling to walk away from the computer for a day. I'm still working on that, but I think I'm slowly getting there. And yes, that top photo is perfect for what you must be feeling.

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  3. I just made a long msg and it went away : ) I survived without Internet for 5 weeks this summer. I will try Saturdays too. I don't miss FB at all it has been off since July. /Agnes

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  4. katie and agnes, thanks for your comments. i think it's a fine line we all walk: what's the right balance of online time? to me, i can FEEL when i've crossed the line, yet i don't always stop. it's a great mindfulness practice.

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  5. I tired this, I didn't follow through. i am going to try it again because you never lead astray.

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    1. the path is interesting, huh? many things we try that don't necessarily stick. and sometimes that's just fine. here's one of my mantras: honest yet gentle. when you're ready to go offline, you will. :) hugs to you, cathy.

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  6. Beautiful blog Joy! Always nice to read you and to see your beautiful images!!I

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    1. deep thanks, gaby. i'm glad you stopped by. your photography (and the way you embrace life) is an inspiration to me.

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