I have been a lapsed blogger as of late. Not because there has not been fun and exciting things happening, but because I am trying to spend only a 1/2 hour on the computer a day. Man, I didn't realize how much of my life this whole technology thing takes up! I have been spending only 1/2 hour on the computer a day (well, not really on the weekends because you have to break the rules sometimes) since the beginning of March. I'm on my fifth book of the month people, and it is only the 15th. Awesome.
This recent decision of mine was spurned on by a conversation I had with my mom. We were talking about faithfulness in marriage, friendships, and life in general. She said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that acts of unfaithfulness are anything that takes you away from the relationships you have committed to. Spending too much time on anything that takes you away from nurturing and working on the relationships you are in is potentially harmful. Wise woman, that mom of mine.
I think, in this crazy futuristic world of ours (can you believe we have computers the size of a deck of cards? Incredible! Not to mention, straight out of The Jetsons), we rely on the technology around us to escape from the vulnerability and responsibility of human interaction. I watch my students sitting right next to each other, not speaking, but texting back and forth. We IM instead of picking up the phone, or relieve the stress of the day by surfing the Internet instead of talking to our loved ones.
Now, don't get me wrong--I'm not saying that technology isn't absolutely amazing, and I really do think it has the capability to draw us closer to people (thank you skype!). I admit that I have loved reconnecting with people from my past through blogging and (gasp) facebook. Personal aside here, am I too old for facebook? Why do I feel like I am joining this fad about fifteen years too late? More importantly, why am I so embarrassed to admit I am on facebook? I broke out into a cold sweat just typing that last part! But, I think it can also draw us more into our selves if we aren't careful. I think it can overwhelm and override our natural urgency to connect with other people, I think it can squelch our impulses to experience life outside of our office, and I think its addictive powers can push out the interests and art that make us truly unique individuals.
Here is the bottom line. I'm not going cold turkey on technology, we don't want to get crazy here. Let's face it, I can't possibly go a day without getting everyone's status update (there it is again, that cold wash of shame!). Not to mention, I love having my own blog that has been a running record of the adventures Dave and I have been having. I just want to be more aware of what I am faithful to, what I give my attention and focus to, and what I am really connecting with on a daily basis.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have book number six to start.