March 25, 2013

Unplugged Sabbatical


I'm a space filler. Coming off the long hours of an academic term, it's hard for my doing-self to slow. My ego (doing-self) is uncomfortable when idle. If I'm not mindful, then my day is crammed with new things (e.g., errands, new--not necessarily well thought out--projects, list making, plans, extra correspondence). These are all efforts to prove my worth--who am I if I'm not doing or achieving? I'm always curious about the new tasks in which I place my self-worth. When I'm mindful, when I make space to just be, then I know my self-worth is inherent. It exists, always. I am always worthy, just by being me; there's no doing that changes my self-worth. But ego is wily and often circumvents my true intentions, though I'm onto ego: I recognize its machinations more quickly and when I do, I immediately pause, breathe, or meditate.


Lucky for me, I will be soon be away from all external pressures and duties. On Saturday, Mark and I leave for 5 weeks in Nevis, West Indies. While there, we rent an 800-square-foot cottage on a beautiful property--filled with gorgeous gardens and just a short walk to the beach. And we're completely unplugged: no Internet, email, television, newspaper, computer, or cell phone. It's interesting to notice my reactions when first there--I'm trained to look at the answering machine or check email. I have that reaction in Nevis and then I smile. And soon I have no expectations. That's when I'm really unplugged. And I feel so very free. So available to experience life with all my senses.


While on Nevis we don't check email, watch TV, read news, travel in a car, dine at restaurants, or surf the Internet. What do we do? Read books, cook food, take long walks, commune with the ocean, sit in silence, have deep conversation, experience the moment, do yoga, run along the beach, play scrabble, take photographs, play music, ride bikes to the market, listen to the wind, watch the hummingbirds, write, take naps, look at the stars, create, and just be. We experience life through all our senses, no distractions. Does ego still add commentary? Of course, daily commentary. But it's much easier to turn the volume dial to low or mute.

So, friends, I'll be away from this blog for a while. (Although, in some sense, I'll take you all to Nevis with me--in my heart and my experiences.)  Check back later in the week--I have some ideas for you to ponder and experiment with while I'm gone.

9 comments:

  1. How I love this idea! Although I will miss you here in cyberspace as you add so many value to my life and always inspire me with your thoughtful posts and your en'joy'able photography, I wish you and Mark 5 delightful weeks of being from the deepest of my heart. Enjoy every single nanosecond of that way of life and I am curious already to hear your stories. Will you take your camera with you? :) Hug!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cococita: I take my camera EVERYWHERE. :) So I will still be shooting right along side you, just not posting until I return home. Thanks for your happy thoughts! Hug right back.

      Delete
  2. Oh, that just sounds wonderfully intriguing. I don't know if my family can survive a day, little lone 5 weeks, w/o modern day technology. Sad but true. Maybe when the kids are out of the house, my husband and I can try this out. Have a wonderful, wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. have a wonderful, wonderful trip! feeling lightness for you already...

    ReplyDelete
  4. i know i need to unplug when it scares me to do so. i do it for a couple of weeks each summer, but still have my phone, which is cheating. so i envy this. envy that you are going to do this and know that you will be so rewarded. and of course will share your photos when you return. have a marvelous trip.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness, Joy! Your unplugged sabbatical sounds magical and petrifying at the same time. And the petrifying part (only for me of course) is giving me food for thought. Obviously I need to unplug for a while, too. I´m wishing you the best of times and will enjoy your photos and posts here again when you`re back. I admire your work and the mindfulness you`re bringing into your life and through that a bit into mine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you, elke! the first time we did 4 weeks unplugged (this is our 5th such trip), i was skeptical. but then i realized it was all okay, and, in fact, my mind was more quiet and my spirit fully restored. now mark & i know how important these trips are for us both. it's a deep reset button, and gives us such great perspective upon our return. (bottom line: it's only the first time that's scary; then you sink into it and understand all the goodness.)

      Delete
  6. Your fifth unplugged trip, Bravo! I have often asked myself what I did without the internet or my cell phone. Then I remember, I did just fine. As much as I can't imagine not having the internet now; I can remember not having it all, and we survived. I believe I would thrive in the right place, unplugged. As long as I had my camera :)

    Enjoy your journey! Look forward to your return, and your photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, sonja. i will enjoy the journey--for everyone. and i know exactly what you mean: "as long as i had my camera." that's a non-negotiable!

      Delete