As I drove down the road to worship, I was watching a YouTube clip that was embedded on a friend’s social networking page which notified me by SMS so I could open the Facebook app on my iPhone. Isn’t it great to keep in touch? The problem is, I can’t tell you what the video was about or who the friend was.
That morning our Pastor shared two individual thoughts: a reflection on a time when he avoided all advertising for a few days, and a call to devotion as we approach the traditional Lent period leading up to Easter. My mind combined the two and I began to contemplate what 40 days without media would look like.
There is an expectation that my employer can still get a hold of me, so I can’t get off the grid completely. That aside, beginning tonight I am “unplugging” whatever e-media I can. On the chopping block are internet, TV, and the iPhone. I will put my AT&T simcard into a no-frills phone. I will check work email, but leave forwards and any entertainment-related emails unopened.
I understand the irony that I did a Google Search to find an image to put into this post on our family blog, which will be pulled into my Facebook profile (some extensive use of technology to announce I am cutting it all out). In the meantime, I’m unplugged and will be rediscovering reading and maybe some new hobbies too. At the prompting of a friend I will keep a journal of the good, bad, and ugly (using real paper!) See you on Facebook after Easter Sunday…maybe…
If you need me, let’s talk…in real life.
-alan
