Operation De-Clutter/Simplify Update

It has been several months since I determined to de-clutter/simplify parts of my life that held a "too much" air about them. I'll say it has been a bit of an addictive experience, but one that has left me feeling lighter and healthier.

One of the most freeing venues of de-clutter was that of social media/technology. Obviously, ending my relationship with Facebook freed up a lot of time in my mind, and I have seen a drastic increase in my creativity as it pertains to writing. I did not realize the extent to which I'd become "mindless" in this area. For the first few weeks, on the bus to work, I would pull out my phone and look for my Facebook app before I would remember it was no longer there. It had become a mindless habit for me. That is not to cast judgment on the millions of Facebook users, but for me, for my journey, I was looking for a more mindful way to be present in my life.

Along those same lines, I de-cluttered the enormous amount of daily emails with which I was bombarded. Sales on this site, money for that cause, I found myself deleting 20+ emails every day without even opening them. I went on an unsubscribing spree and now I receive 5 emails a day from sites that truly matter to me or that I enjoy reading. I find myself looking forward to opening my inbox now that I have de-cluttered.

Also, when I write, I close all websites and email accounts and simply...write. It has surprised me! I did not understand how distracted I'd become. I have written more in the last two months, than over the last year.

Lastly, with respect to our highly connected society, I have started turning my phone off when I am out for the day enjoying the city, or the beach, or the woods with my wife. If it were not for the simple fact of sometimes needing access to my Bible (a.k.a. Google Map), I would now be content to even leave it at home. (This is coming from a person who once said she would get an implanted phone when they became available.) As my wife says wisely, "if it is an emergency, they should call 9-1-1."

I love being able to stay connected with the people I care about, but I have enjoyed this re-evaluation of my life and my desire to stay connected with the present moment. In doing so, I can have the peace of mind and contentment that makes me a more healthy and happier soul for those people I care about. In the end, that is a beautiful feeling.

Peace to you!

***As is my life, this blog is a work in progress. My desire is to facilitate constructive, respectful conversations about life and our collective journey towards peace and happiness. This has become an obsession.

Please add “your two cents worth” below, and feel free to share this blog. The more the merrier! Understanding ourselves helps us understand others—bringing us one step closer to attaining peace.***

 

Au Revoir to Facebook

It was more of a privacy issue than anything else, but I must admit...my first week without Facebook has actually been grand. Amongst other things, it has reminded me to simply be present. This is not such a grand revelation, but is has served to slow me down, relax my mind, and give me more time to ponder.

It had become more of a mindless habit, really. While sitting on the bus or the sub (when connection was available) I would scroll through my newsfeed and take a huge gulp out of the hydrant of information readily available. I had, at my disposal, a wide, wide range of topics with which to occupy my mind. Some would make me smile and laugh, such as my friends' adorable babies; some would make me sad, such as the many news-nerd updates on ISIL, genocides, climate change, or poverty-stricken countries that flooded my page, and some would make my blood completely boil over, such as people in this country, whom I cannot bring myself to even name on this blog! I had to laugh just now; even while writing that last sentence and thinking of these divisive, bully-ish few who refuse to play nice, I found myself typing harder and faster on my keyboard, riled up by the mere thought! 

With all that being said, I am not beginning a Facebook is Bad for Your Health Campaign. As you can tell, I have also not heaved my laptop out of the window and replaced it with a vintage Royal

typewriter. (Although I must confess I have dreamed of sitting in a small French cottage with the fresh Mediterranean breeze blowing through an open window across my fingers as I type away on a vintage Royal typewriter--with French keys, nonetheless, and the air filled with the steady contact of key to paper...ahhh, dreams.) Where was I? Ah, yes. I'll actually miss keeping in touch more frequently with some of my international friends. I will also miss the fact that several of my readers accessed my blogs through Facebook, but for me, it's a good thing for the moment. My soul feels refreshed.

With or without Facebook or the next best in social media, take time to still your mind and be present in your life. There is a peace that can only be found inside, but at times, it takes great courage to travel within ourselves and discover this peace. The journey is unique to each one of us, but it is a journey worthwhile. Namaste. 

*also please take the time to sign up for email updates to eight million plus two & leaving god finding me, if you wish to continue reading my blogs. If not, no worries. I'll still let you buy me a drink if we ever bump into each other in one country or another!