“…There is inculcated in us such a fear of being out of everything – out of touch, left behind.
This fear is a form of tyranny…”
…The conviction is that it is precisely in these (collective) preoccupations that the Holy Spirit is at work.
To be “preoccupied with the current preoccupations” is then the best — if not the only — way to be open to the Spirit.
Hence one must know what everybody is saying, read what everybody is reading, keep up with everything…
…or be left behind by the Holy Spirit.
Is this a perversion of the idea of the church – a distortion of perspective due to the Church’s situation in the world of mass communications?
I wonder if this anxiety to keep up is not in fact an obstacle to the Holy Spirit?
~(adapted from a journal entry by Thomas Merton – February 24, 1966.)
A few months ago I read this in one of Merton’s journals, and I was astonished that a man, practically living in solitude in the 60s, could have such perspective on a culture of mass communication. We think this era is unique, but it’s not. It’s merely redefined using new forms of communication.
I read a post on Tom’s blog about how he was scaling back in some of his online intake. His post reminded me of what Merton said, and I can’t help but wonder the same thing both pieces allude to…
Do we stay plugged in because we’re afraid we may miss something (spiritual or relational?)
Do we feel like there is more to miss simply because there is more being communicated?
Is what we view as the things that connect us to information inhibiting our capacity to be aware to the not-so-obvious things in our midst?
I remember unplugging during Lent last year. A few of my other friends did the same and we shared a similar story:
When we were offline, the things happening around us were so much louder, so much more clear, and we were so much more present in them that it was like God screaming at us – through relationships, through nature, through solitude, through the seemingly mundane…
What changed?
Our input level?
or God’s output level?
—
I would tend to think our input level. We quiet down, and we hear what’s already present.
—
What do you think? Have you ever wrestled with the fear “unplugging” brings? Have you experienced the radical change in God’s volume when you do unplug?
Comments
77 responses to “What if You Miss Something Important?”
The internet is addictive and time consuming. A few minutes can turn into many hours. If you wonder if you are addicted, you probably are. Quit for a week. Spend that time in prayer and study. As you do this keep a journal. See what happens.
That being said, I also need to start limiting my time and to follow my own advice.
Peace
Marquis
Thanks so much Marquis. Great thoughts. I find when I am more engaged in life-on-earth: meetings, meals, face to face…I find less time to be spent on the internet (and typically don’t feel a withdrawal). In fact, sometimes I feel overwhelmed to “keep up” from what I was missing when I return…
I am kind of odd compared to most people my age. I would much rather be able to completely unplug than deal with it all. I can’t because my school uses the internet as pretty much their only means of communication. But I tend to leave my phone off as much as I can, just so I can enjoy things without interuption. And I love to take walks around the lake here and forget about all the technology that distracts me from everything else.
I almost feel like I was born in the wrong time… I see myself fitting much better in the 1400’s. : )
For other people though, I think it is more of a fear of feeling alone. With the internet people are just a click away anytime. Take that away from someone who is used to having it…and I can see some problems for them.
.-= Lauren?s last blog .. =-.
So true. I love the little Ingrid Michaelson song she did about Twitter.
The volunteer work and school work that I do requires me to be online for long periods of time. When it comes to being online outside of school and work – I can take it or leave it.
There are days I spend hours online and days I spend little time outside of work and school online. It no longer causes me anxiety to be away from it for a long period of time. I use to almost panic when I couldn’t get to my facebook or twitter account. Now I just let it go and enjoy my friendships – and a good book or two.
good stuff. sounds healthy to me!! :)
Just another thought I had: I don’t keep a TV in my bed room. I don’t have that source of information around me constantly. It wasn’t until I got rid of the TV that I didn’t freak about lack of internet connection.
In 7 years of marriage we haven’t either. Tempted a few times but it keeps our bedroom free of consumer noise and quiet for reading….or napping….or…..;)
i’ve been off of facebook since the beginning of the Lenten season… and 3 things have become quite clear:
1) i had no idea how unhealthy my attachment to facebook was until I couldn’t be on there and actually began detoxing…
2) i had no idea how much i was relying on facebook to keep me up to date with what my friends were doing…
3) and worse… i’ve seen how much i’ve been filling in with facebook, instead of reading, writing and praying.
i’ve been left repairing those broken pieces and filling in the gaps with the spiritually healthy things i’d be lacking. and definitely, God’s volume has been greatly louder and it turns out He’d been trying to get my attention for quite some time.
.-= Crystal Renaud?s last blog ..Porn is fun until? =-.
beautifully shared crystal. thanks…
I think the desire to always be keeping up with the latest supposed moves of the spirit and latest trends is doing the church a lot of damage. When our focus is always on the big new thing we can easily loose track of the biblical truths we have had for millenniums. Loosing our groundings like this leaves us open to be tossed around by every falsehood and distraction. Some recent alleged revivals have shown the train wrecks that can result when the new is chased over the true
.-= Joanna?s last blog ..Recommended reading list now available =-.
Seems to be the preoccupation of people nowadays, the constant need for information. All it really creates is “noise” in our minds. Now nothing wrong with the medium of Internet or Cell phones or TV, as long as it is done in moderation and that you have that “alone” time unplugged with yourself and family.
Good stuff. And good to see some new faces around here. Or…names at least. :)
Thanks for this Anne!
I know I’m addicted, and I know that I fear missing out on something.. but when that gets in the way of missing God I have to step back.
I make sure to take time with Him and my journal before I go online each day.. He asked for “Intimacy before Internet” and I must be obedient to that request.
.-= HisFireFly?s last blog ..Ephesians 6:18 Saturdays – Adoration =-.
love that….thank you!
since i ran over my laptop with my car…i’ve been able to stop with my facebook addiction coz im too lazy to “scroll” through people’s walls on my blackberry.
twitter though is another subject. i need twittervention. since im an extrovert…i actually like twitter coz im able to make “new acquaintances” and have random conversations with people on there (without having to hold a long enough conversation).
i gotta remind myself though…to look up at the world, instead of looking down on my blackberry all the time. the people on twitter are actually strangers… and the people around me need my attention (like my child, family or my friends) more than people i dont really know online.
I would cry. Laptop+Car Tires=YIKES.
It was probably something you did last year, if my recollection is correct, since I never did go back and look that came to mind as we approached Lent this year and sparked my interest. This year I gave up Facebook and Twitter for Lent. Growing up in a non-denominational church we didn’t do the liturgical practices of the more orthodox churches so this is my first Lenten Fast. I can say at first I really felt that I was missing out on what was happening but as the day went by I haven’t missed a day on my Youversion Reading Plan, feel closer to God and find I have more time on my hands to spend with my children and wife.
With Lent ending this Saturday I have begun to think about my reentry into those social mediums. Should I? If so how often? Will I contribute more that I did before and actually engage? Should I trim who I follow? Sitting here thinking about while I write has convinced me to to even stick my toes in to test the water till I have figures those questions out.
I do think we all are drowning in fire hose of media we intake daily. Some are better at standing in the pressure than others but we could all use some unplugged time every day in our lives.
Last year helped me re-evaluate my online “world” significantly. I was off Facebook for a LONG time, only starting up again a couple months ago with a “Page” for most things and a completely private profile for people I know well. Not “acquaintances who I have met in real life” but people whose phone numbers I have, and family members.
I hope your reentry is slow and intentional. It did me a world of good.
Umm mmm mmm so much I could say.
The world before “crazy overload techness”- probably was a pretty alright place- definitely less distracting and more personable but as always we have a choice on where we fall on the pendelum.
However as I can gather from any muse of mine- time away from the crowds is time well invested.
.-= Natalie?s last blog ..Lesson #47812 =-.
I’ve had to develop a method to avoid information overload (a method that is continually being fine tuned, I might add).
I realize that I am compulsive with regard to some things (especially that unread number in my Google reader), so I categorize the things I don’t want to miss, so I don’t feel so bad about marking the other things read without looking. I also use lists on twitter so I don’t get overrun with my main time line.
I figure that if it is really important, it will come back around somewhere.
One thing I really love about the online world is that I find a sense of community that is impossible in real life. For me it is mainly about the people, not the information. It is amazing to be able to relate to people without regard to physical location.
.-= dubdynomite?s last blog ..A Different Kind of Writer?s Block =-.
If I have been away from the internet for over half a day I hungrily come back to it worried that I might have missed something important in the world (politically, geographically, historically). And yet, I always check my own e-mail/facebook/blog readers before going to googlenews.
Yeah I get uber distracted too!
Thanks Anne for your honesty. I know I don’t have the readers you do but still I “fear” being out of touch. Maybe it is my pride. I don’t know. You have given me some things to think about.
Thank Merton! :) Stole it from him…and Toms post reminded me to go back and find it. :) but thank you!
“a fear of being out of everything ? out of touch, left behind”.
that’s definitely my issue, a feeling of being “left out” if i’m not up to date on everything my friends are writing on their facebook walls, twittering etc.
it’s unhealthy and it’s pure insecurity.
the thing for me is… i love emailing my friends.
BUT i really don’t want/need to see the communication between my friends. facebook and twitter have made it possible to see what my friends write to *eachother*, things they are planning, fun things they’ve done… and that’s just a pain to read for someone who is (completely irrational thankfully) afraid of not being included.
it actually annoys me that it’s even possible to read stuff my friends write to eachother, it’s strange if you think about it… twitter and fb have completely changed this.
i like the privacy of email.
it takes a lot of discipline for me to keep it all healthy and not look at all those coversations.
Great thoughts!!!!
I deal with the same issues, Anna. Thanks for sharing.
I deleted (not deactivated, but deleted) my fb account a couple of minutes ago…! I actually feel relieved :)
Back to email, text message and face to face conversations for me.
I couldn’t get this blog entry out of my head and knew I had to do something… so thanks Anne, your post definitely made the decision easier.
Recently I began turning off my phone for at least 6 hours at least during the day unless I am expecting a call. It has been even more freeing then expected. I used to leave it on and hear tons of notifications go off (via fbook, twitter,sms,phonecalls)and feel the need to respond. Now that anxiety has been calmed a quite a bit. I also cut down on my list of blogs I follow(urs not being one of them) in my google reader, and tried to limit my TV time. Its all still a constant battle though as somedays you I might just going on a media binge, but for the most part I find it liberating, and it has put a more healthy balance on my real life relationships for the most part. Still a work in progress though.
I’ve done this too! I feel badly for missing stuff….but not really :)
I upped my intake of FB and Twitter during Lent, but that’s because for work we’re increasing our social media presence, and I’m the one in charge of that!
Like someone else mentioned, I discipline myself to spend time with God before getting online each morning. I also go for a short walk in the evenings to unplug. And when I’m being really disciplined I don’t get back online after our kids go to bed. It helps me disconnect from everything online, relax, spend time with my husband, read a book, etc.
.-= AprilK?s last blog ..Laughing until it hurts, or, maybe laughing because it hurts =-.
I need to work on setting a time at night where I shut off anything with pixels…good inspiration. Thanks.
I think it can be hard with so much “noise” going on the background of our lives through television, internet, and other forms of communication that we do miss the voice of God speaking to us. In moments that require stillness or focus. Perhaps one of the disciplines of the new “global age of communication” will be to simply unplug.
.-= Kristine McGuire?s last blog ..Everything in Tidy Boxes =-.
I was unplugged over the weekend to have an old-fashioned slumber party with my girlfriends. It was fantastic to connect with my friends instead of connecting to the Internet. Life is better experienced in person!
Thanks for this wonderful post. We all need this reminder (including myself!).
.-= Laura Click?s last blog ..Reading Roundup: Doing Social Media Right (and Wrong) =-.
THAT SOUNDS SOOOOO FUN!
.-= Anne Jackson?s last blog ..What if You Miss Something Important? =-.
It was! I highly recommend it. And, I didn’t miss my computer or connecting on Twitter or Facebook one bit. ;)
.-= Laura Click?s last blog ..Reading Roundup: Doing Social Media Right (and Wrong) =-.
I struggle with this every weekend – disconnecting from Twitter, Facebook, and my blog. More than anything, I’m worried that I’ll miss an opportunity to create some buzz, to begin a conversation, or get people talking — however, as one friend pointed out recently, what I’m REALLY concerned about (if I’m honest) is building my own empire. Lord, have mercy…
You know the answers to community, hurting people, and the things society hides from. You give us reason to take a check on ourselves and get with the program, so to speak. As I am now a “Social Security 65,” I dearly love to read what the “younger” people are thinking and writing. I won’t ever be an uncool parent or grandma, but I so look forwrd to your writings because they speak “Hear ye, ye…Anne Jackson is not out of touch with the future or past generation!” And I read to my heart’s content your blog and others and it just satisfies my longing for community since we’re retired! You writers make so MUCH SENSE! I appreciate you, but I’m sure it probably is draining and you would feel empty. I do not ever want to be unplugged because my hubby chose that; too much life in me for that!!
.-= Carol?s last blog ..Create and maintain an atmosphere of LOVE! =-.
I’m currently off Facebook and Twitter for Lent. I saw what they were doing and that I was allowing them to be more important than a lot of things. I don’t know that I have a fear of not knowing what’s going on, but it’s difficult if I’m being honest. Being connected on Twitter allowed me to actually pray for people in the moment. Their desperate plea for prayer in a situation allowed me to instantly lift them up. But the time away has been great for me. It’s been a HUGE blessing.
.-= Prudence?s last blog ..Walking in Fear =-.
As a leader in my previous church, my pastor’s wife taught us to be plugged in….or else….we were expeted to respond to every email almost immediately 7 days a week. It drove us all almost crazy but to be in leadership that was the price. I still catch myself cghecking email, facbook, twitter too often.
then I hear His voice quietly in my head…what are you doing that for Sandy? :)
long time lurker, first time commenter…. maybe we are afraid to stop communicating via FB, twitter, etc because we are afraid we won’t be missed? I personally use the internet for work, but also for distraction from work… like right now….
So true….(and thanks for unlurking. Delurking? Whatev. Glad you’re here!)
You have nailed my struggles for the past 3 months to the wall.
I am addicted to information.
I constantly have twitter open because I do not want to miss anything.
Its almost like I am addicted to being in the know and being up on what is happening. Maybe I have created an identity that consist of always knowing.
What is starting to happen to me is that I am always giving to this addiction but in all honesty it is not giving back. It is so limited in the way that it gives. Instead I think it just sucks the life out of you at times and really leaves you empty.
I myself am starting to pull back some.
Here is the problem though, you see these social media “gurus’ and the one thing they continue to say over and over is you have to hustle. You have to be everywhere and you have to engage. I think in the next 3 years you are going to see a lot more books that have something to do with being burnt out on social media and the effects of always engaging with social media.
You maybe can get ahead of the game Anne and write a book about that right now.
Gurus are idiots. :)
Gurus are people who are IN THE KNOW now.
I prefer to listen to early adopters.
Look at what the themes are in the free ebook Seth pushed out last year.
Everyone is saying SLOWWW DOWNNN.
These were the people 5 years ago saying the same thing the “gurus” say now.
Slowing down will be the new thing in a few years.
Might I suggest adopting it now? :)
A book…no…but my life…I’ll try ;)
I find it so ironic, that if I wasn’t so engaged, I would not ever had come across this post which caused me to contemplate that I might be too engaged…
Oh just wait til the “in case you missed it” irony tweet that is scheduled for later tonight…. :)
I definitely need to work on unplugging more. I am trying to set aside one day a month where I do this. I have done it twice now and both times were awesome!
.-= Kevin M.?s last blog ..Sermon Synopsis 3/28 – Why worship Jesus? =-.
I dig the post and I dig the comments (and/or conversation) that’s ensued around what you’ve shared.
Whether or not a person is addicted to information is one of those things that, I think, only they can really answer.
We talk a lot about wanting to be plugged-in and we say that we’re afraid we’re going to be missing out on something – as if we’re gonna be left out of an inside joke.
I think we miss the information more than it misses us.
Stop blogging, tweeting, facebooking, buzzing, tumblr’ing, or whatever you do for, say, 48 hours. How many people actually miss your presence?
Thank you for your post that triggered me to write this :)
Ok. So I’m going to really REALLY honest here and just get this off my chest. (please don’t judge me). I think my addiction has been so bad over the last year that my relationships with my children are suffering AND my youngest’s (almost two) speech is severely delayed. He can’t even say mama. And it breaks my heart. I’ve had him tested and there is nothing wrong with him cognitively or socially. Just his communication. I’ve asked friends to fb fast with me bc I need accountability but no one will/can. They r too addicted themselves. Thanks for this one Anne. I needed it.
No judging from me whatsoever. Can you try deactivating/deleting your account? Maybe start with deactivating for a week or a month?
I hope you can find some accountability!
Thank you for saying that. I am sure you are NOT the only one that is struggling and feels the same way so know your words are probably helping many. I am so proud of you for taking some steps to help and I hope you will find that person to help consistently. My friend uses Covenant Eyes, which costs a little and is mainly for addiction however it also monitors WHEN you use the computer most and maybe having that will help some when you see it in a weekly report (and have it sent to friends, and vice versa?)
Thanks again for being vulnerable.
I was notified on Friday that the utility company inaccurately marked my internet connection and when the realty company came to place the For Sale sign (which is happening because my landlord allowed the townhome to going into foreclosure) they cut my Internet connection. It is one thing to choose to disconnect, but being forced to really opened my eyes. The process of being told last week that my home is being sold and I need to move, and then losing my connection has really showed me how much control and stability I want in my life. I have to humbly confess that as much as I want to be flexible and easy going I am not there and can have a bad attitude when MY plans change.
Not having net access changed my weekend plans. I couldn’t study for an upcoming exam because the material was online. I didn’t have the address to meet friends for coffee on Saturday and I had to actually call someone! I didn’t have a dictionary to look up a word. I couldn’t check the weather. I didn’t have access to a map. I did wondered if I was missing something on email or Facebook, but even more I realized how much my life is connected to online “stuff”.
There is a huge movement to place everything “in the cloud” and I keep wondering how much this will fuel addictions, cause us to “unconnect” from people, and leave us stranded when our connection to online resources is not available. So far I have not chose to engage with Twitter because I know it could take over my life. As a single person living alone this is a very key boundary I have to watch out for because I could spend all my time online without a spouse, child, roommate, etc. even being aware. I have email and the web up all the time, so even if I am reading a book or enjoying a movie a new message can come in and interrupt.
Since I work on a computer all day I am actually looking forward to going home tonight to make a fire, and spend some quality time with God since I know I won’t be interrupted. I guess the utility company’s mistake was a blessing and it is helping me take Holy Week seriously.
.-= Sherie?s last blog ..The choice is ours, the grace is His =-.
Sounds nice. praying God will speak loudly into your quiet.
… interesting that when I unplug, the world goes on without me. It doesn’t skip a beat. No one really misses me all that much.
And I end up tending to things that really matter. Relationships. With people. With Him.
And unwinding. Not being so “on.” So hooked.
After a break, re-plugging is fun. Things are in perspective. And so much more interesting than constantly being on.
Very good points!
There was a time where I set “parental controls” for myself in regards to FB….anytime I tried to go there it would block me and give me a message (which I wrote) saying, “you’re doing it again…go find your wife and spend time with her.”
Worked pretty well.
.-= Josh?s last blog ..A Monday-type of Question for You? =-.
Nice!
My plugged in time seems to run in seasons. I will go for months of being really IN, reading blogs, checking FB, working hard on my own Internet Projects, and then, without planning it, I will spend a month or two where the only connection is checking my email.
.-= Steve?s last blog ..Sunday is Coming =-.
Man, can I relate to this!
Last summer I unplugged from most of technology for about three months. It was so delicious! I didn’t miss Facebook (except for the first week), and I didn’t miss sharing my thoughts on my blog. It was rather sweet to spend the time with God, my journal, and a few choice books (a couple of which were Merton’s).
Over this last year technology has slowly crept back into my life. I’ve been intentional along the way about what forms have gotten put into play, and when they did so … but lately I’ve noticed that FB, Twitter, and blogs are almost too much to keep up with! I definitely relate to that feeling that “I’ll miss out on something” if I don’t keep up with it all, but keeping up and keeping a sane connection to real life in front of me is near impossible. I appreciate you starting this conversation because it helps me know I’m not alone in all this. :)
.-= Christianne´s last blog ..We Are About: Offering Creative, Life-Giving Love in Response to Violence or Hatred =-.
Sometimes when I get in my information-hungry phase of my day, I skim over SO many quality writings, that I find I am not actually absorbing much at all. I read a ton of fantastic thoughts, and I’m lucky if two ideas stick with me three days later.
I’ve been exploring how to intake less and spend more time in introspection. So far I’ve been unsuccessful, but “admitting the problem is the first step”.
I really identified with Kyle Reed when he said he was addicted to information. I’ve said the same thing to my fiance before. It can be good for pushing yourself to be a better person and point others towards the light, but it can be taken too far, where it is no longer beneficial for you or others around you.
Everything is a balance, I suppose. Thanks for starting this conversation, Anne.
I have personally come to the conclusion that I am a 2 year old in a 23 year olds body, and I just don’t want to miss anything. I am so glad you wrote about this. This has been on my mind many a time lately, and I think God is trying to speak to me. What we take in is crucial to our relationship to Jesus.
.-= Devon´s last blog ..Payback =-.
Very timely post for this Holy Week, especially. Thank you! I’ve been thinking I want to pull back a bit this week. I always take more quiet time during Holy Week because I am so humbled and overwhelmed and profoundly grateful. This year, now that I’m on Twitter, it seems even more necessary to take a step back. It’s hard for me to read/”listen” to all the noise on Twitter this week when so much of it has nothing to do with the significance of what Jesus did through the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
I never had any desire to be on Facebook or MySpace. I always told friends who wanted me on FB that I didn’t have that kind of time. I still feel the same way.
As for TV, mine went out a few months ago and I decided not to replace it. It was a small TV with antennae that got 2-3 channels since I refuse to pay for cable. I still watch movies occasionally and love them. But I really enjoy the new quiet in my home without the noise of TV. I listen to music and read and work on my writing a lot more now.
I’m also spending more time outdoors riding my bike, walking, running and simply sitting on my back porch watching the sunset or stargazing, which feels great.
I find I crave peace and quiet. I need these reminders that God wants alone time with me without all the distractions, too. I’m getting there……
.-= Janet Lyn´s last blog ..Spring is Here~Hope Has Won! =-.
I’ve had an unintentional unplugging over the past year as we’ve lived with my in-laws waaay out in the country with internet slower than dialup, poor cell phone reception, and no access to cable tv. It’s been kind of nice. I’ve grown a lot as we’ve read more and thought more and talked to each other more. I’ve realized what is most important to me and spent the year focusing on that. It’s been energizing both mentally and spiritually. I hope to continue the balance as I re-enter the world of high speed in a few months!
Baby steps today. I deleted 300 friends, so I’m down to 69. And deleted the fb app from my iPhone. THAT has been a-mazing already. Thanks Anne.
Understand how hard that is and I applaud you!
that is awesome – good for you!
I’ve been hanging out in 2 Timothy lately, and am so reminded of how there can be lots of talk but little truth- and how we are to be disciplined in not being drawn into conversations that in the end are meaningless or quarrelsome.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The one who thinks he/she knows something does not yet know as he/she ought to know. But the one who loves God is known by God.
So much of the ‘chatter’ that is out there is nothing more than ‘trivial pursuit.’
I truly think heaven is going to be populated by a lot of people whose influence might have only been confined to a small circle- but they were faithful in knowing the sphere God called them to. Their humility would keep them from our knowledge, but not God’s.
Our greed for more and more in readers and knowledge can be our downfall. To some, I do believe the ‘tent stakes’ are to be drawn out broader than others, but I think far too many are extending their tent stakes beyond where God called them to.
Wow, yes unplugging always brings me closer to God. It’s just me having to actually want to do it. With nothing in the way between me and God, we have to spend time with each other. And if it’s for long periods of time, that’s even more time we spend with each other. This time always proves to be refreshing, but painful at times because I realize how close I was to putting something ahead of Him. This in itself makes me realize I need to unplug more.
.-= jackalopekid´s last blog ..LETGOdwork + jackalopekid tshirt giveaway =-.
Thanks for this post, Anne. Last year I fasted from Facebook for 40 days, and just started another 40 day Facebook fast yesterday – in fact, it’s going to be a minimum 40 days – could be longer. I remember that I could hear God much more clearly then, and I pray that I will hear Him more clearly again – I’ve had too much noise in my life. I didn’t miss FB then, and I don’t think I will miss it now…
It’s rather freeing to not be checking FB on my Blackberry or seeing the updates in my Seesmic Desktop. Greater focus, greater clarity.
.-= Andy´s last blog ..“I Met This Guy On the Internet…” =-.