Disconnecting

I’m grateful for this question. Sometimes the question itself is the answer. The right question can make your life better.

What do I need a break from? I need a break from being so accessible. I need to step away more and be in nature, to retreat to my Innisfree. There are everyday practices I can implement to make this happen. It takes intention, it takes discipline. Solitude is a necessity, solitude used correctly: less time on screens and less time adhering to expectations of others, expectations that are in my head. That’s all ego.

I can set myself free one day at a time. I can condition myself to not be so screen-dependent. The more I stay connected to this journey, the more liberated I’ll feel, and I’ll get closer to my true nature, to my authentic self.

How many of us are being intentional about reconnecting to our authentic selves? We’re not encouraged to do so in this society, but we must, or we’ll be lost. We’ll react instead of respond. We’ll misuse our anger.

Anger is essential, but we must put out the fire inside us by looking inside instead of spreading the fire and burning others.

Do I need a break? Yes, I do, from social media, and from screens. Recently I attended the “Walk to Emmaus” in Billings, and my phone was taken from me. There was no Internet access. And I didn’t know what time it was. We were on “God’s time.” This break was badly needed. Already I’m back in the swing of life before the Walk and several ugly patterns have already returned . That’s where the discipline comes in. Taking a break sounds easy. Step away. Try 15 minutes first. 15 minutes without the phone. Then try an hour. Two hours. A day. You can do this.

I’m not writing this to encourage you, the reader, but to push myself. If it encourages you, that’s great, but I’m not trying to preach here. Do what’s right for you. Ask yourself what you need to take a break from. And do it often. If you’re asking the question, that’s your authentic self reaching out, wanting to return. Listen.