"I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dropped it carelessly. Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity!"
~ Hazel Lee
Making time for things that matter. A struggle for most people, it seems. Making time to cook proper meals, to read good books, to visit with friends and family, to take care of ourselves... Ours is a world full of distractions, and we are coached daily to shorten our collective attention span. I know that I regularly fight with myself to get the frack OFF the Internet and back to reality, where real life is patiently waiting.
Lately I have been putting serious effort into unplugging myself a little more. Not just avoiding the computer and the TV, but re-directing myself to real-life activities. Taking care of the pooch (who is recovering beautifully from his surgery), reading excellent books (see below), working hard at my placement (I would love to say "job" but don't feel allowed since I'm unpaid), growing a garden of veggies and flowers, and talking at length with important people in my life. I have also started working out daily (to a Jillian Michaels DVD) and trying harder to fit the good stuff into my packed lunches. Little baby steps.
It has been making an amazing difference. I have had a lot more energy, more time to do the things I like, and a better outlook. Has wasting my free time on the computer been directly killing my moods and my health? Not necessarily, but it certainly hasn't helped. The more I step away from the glowing screens and think "What can I do instead?" (much easier to consider now that milder temperatures are settling in), the longer my attention span is growing. Better focus, more energy and stamina in the day, more excitement at progress, the more I feel grounded and present.
And even though I value the interactions online -- since that is the only way I can keep in touch with some people -- spending time with my siblings and bestest friends has given me really substantial satisfaction. The four-course meal of conversation, versus the Facebook Happy Meal.
People used to always tell me how gardening, or sailing, or hiking (or whatever) make them alive in the present moment. And it's true! Physical, real-life activity and real-time face-to-face social interaction with the people who matter do more for my wellbeing than anything else out there. All I have to do now is keep it up, and resist the constant temptation of glowing-screen vegetative escape!
FILMS
The King's Speech (2010) *****
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) *****
Megamind (2010) ****
Touch of Pink (2004) ****
BOOKS
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (Fannie Flagg) *****
Room (Emma Donoghue) *****
Hey Meg,
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've visited - in part due to the very things you have discussed here - getting outdoors and doing stuff, spending time with family and friends, cooking, eating good food, getting some exercise and fresh air. I agree with you wholeheartedly - it feels good to do these things - these things, these real-life interactions are what life is all about! I think it's all about balance - easier said than done right?
Cheers to finding good balance!