There are the things in life which bring us immediate pleasure---but are these things always good/healthy for us? No. Not always.
I LOVE my online life---which is seemingly so separated from my real life. I have a Facebook account, three blogs, an online adoption community, many blogs I read, my e-mail accounts (one personal, one work), and of course, my favorite websites and online stores. All it takes is the click of a mouse, and I'm in a virtual world of possibilities.
BUT, I have spent countless hours online. And I often wonder, were these hours well spent? When I had a moment to myself, like when the baby is sleeping and I've finished grading, was my time best spent browsing the newest line of Gymboree clothes or reading on a blog about a friend's Disney vacation?
Gulp. Probably not.
I have taken some good steps recently. I deleted my Twitter account. I took a two month break from the adoption community. I blog in seasons when I'm feeling inspired, and then on the days or weeks in between, check in sporadically only to moderate comments. But, I still have work to do!
Today I did something different. I put my daughter to bed. Then I finished my lunch, by myself. Then I took a long, hot shower (even shaving my legs!). Next, I ordered some library books, watched a re-run of Bewitched, and then brewed a cup of warm tea and read a chapter from the Bible while sitting at my kitchen table with the sunshine creating a warm, natural, well-lit environment.
Soothing.
I chose to create focus, calmness, and pleasure in my life today. And it's made all the difference (as Robert Frost says happens when you take "the road less taken").
Old habits die hard---someone once said. I'm not sure I'll ever stop feeding my love for online fun. But I'm definitely trying to reduce that pleasure to be an accessory to my real life instead of my OTHER life. There's too much good stuff right in front of me that doesn't come about from clicking and typing.
What pleasures in your life are hampering something better? What can you do today to create an environment of serenity and beauty in your life?
A dear friend recently shared with me that a lot of good things don't come about organically. Yes, there are those little surprises in life that pop up on a random day and plow a smile on our faces. But for the most part, we labor for the good stuff in one way or another. Choice by choice, day by day.
What are you laboring for? What needs to change?
Go for it!
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