I wrote a piece last week on censorship. I have a positive update for you on that. The journal I referred to agreed not to publish the rebuttal to the book review!!! The writer is protected, and so are our rights as American citizens. And it's in part thanks to you.
Still keeping the promise to myself to not overspend time in front of a computer screen (because time has become a commodity, more precious than the spot price of gold in today's market), a challenge set in August when I stopped using technology for 11 days. I updated you on how that went and continued to share the changes and reprecussions to that decision. It's now FOUR months since I first implemented the "unplug" strategy. As you know from my less frequent writings, I'm sticking to my guns...so to speak. The biggest benefit continues to be more opportunity to be outside, observing nature. Yesterday was a particularly glorious day so I got to hike for just over an hour then spent several more hours meditating in the sunshine. Today, it's a more typical November day in my part of the northern hemisphere, so I doubt I'll get to spend anytime out of doors. It's all about seizing those opportunities when you can--which I know isn't always easy and/or possible given the constraints on 21st century living. But I'm sharing my experience because I want you to know it is POSSIBLE--very, very possible.
The biggest down side to unplugging (because you know there has to be one): Lack of connectivity. Duality, always waiting in the wings, is a part of our existential angst--a direct result of conflict each time we compromise. And unplugging is a compromise--in every way imaginable: economically, socially, personally, etc. I cannot keep up with as many people as I used to. I still keep in touch, of course, but not as frequently. Connection, even through the hyperreal, is still connection. I was missing connecting to the natural world, feeling like I'd lost touch with the "real"...and I had. Now, I'm more in touch with the "real" but had to give up the close connections developed through the hyperreal. And, though I wish I could do it all successfully, the compromise has been worthwhile.
I am happier, calmer, more peaceful, less fretful, less anxious, more open, and have a general sense that the world is somehow in sync, even when it appears to be otherwise. You simply can't put a price on that. I didn't need to take drugs to acheive this. I didn't need to see a therapist every week. All I needed to do was spend less time in the vacuum of the tech-ether and more time actually living.
Of course, now, I have to "catch up" on my writings and emails--but because I'm generally more calm, I don't feel the same self-induced pressures. When it's important, I'll write. I'll respond. I'll connect. And in my next piece, you'll see why it's important today. And so are you.
Maybe we can effect more positive change together...we're off to an excellent start!