Am I spending too much time on the computer? Am I preferring my "virtual life" over my "real life"? At the end of the day, am I satisfied with how I spent my waking hours? Can I balance my virtual and real lives? Do I want to? The list of questions seemed to go on and on.....
Since I have been spending my morning quiet time with this blog, I have decided to break these questions up and cover one at a time. This is an important topic for me, and I want to make sure that no thought gets left behind and that my morning quiet time doesn't last 2 hours. Little #4 probably wouldn't appreciate being late for school because shiny mom is getting her thoughts out of her head.
So I'll leave you today with a bit of a teaser. Tomorrow I'll ponder/admit that I may be spending too much time on the computer. Have a Shiny day.
Just my thoughts.
8 comments:
Sometimes I think about this, too, and at times, my "real" life wins, and other times my "virtual" life wins. And just now it struck me, "Who's to say that my real and virtual life aren't one in the same?"
More pondering to be done!
Happy Monday, Jill!
I wonder about this same thing. I've found so much fulfillment and support from blogging. Do I come to the blog too often? Do I crave it too much? I'm looking forward to your next post :)
Just catching up on your posts...good stuff Jill! I think about this often as I am on the computer...A LOT! I do make sure that I take time to go outside and when my kids are around, I drastically limit my use. It's hard though... So strange how we connect so much through the cyber world. But I need it too :)
Eeek! I'm afraid I may have opened Pandora's Box with this one, Jill. It seems several bloggers I know (especially moms) are wondering these very things.
I love how you put the teaser (bait) out for us and will slowly unravel this ball of yarn as you deal with each question.
Tomorrow morning I'm posting the email exchange that got this all started. It's a bit on the long side, but I thought it was well-worth sharing.
We'll see where this all takes us. I'm sure we will find a great balance that works for each of us.
I think it's great to ponder this. The computer sure has its allure, as do blogs. Just one more, please! I agree with Megan. Why separate them? Both are real. My blog time and visits and posts are the real me. I cherish this time and the contacts. but I must be mindful of how I spend my time, no matter what I am doing. What best honors me and my life, my family, my needs? Yes, much to ponder....
With me it's easy. When I start to feel like a zombified mechanical device, I step away from the computer. The max time a day I can handle comfortably is about 2 hours. Total. I jump on and off Facebook but never stay there. As much as I appreciate social media sites, I don't think they can replace physical experience. I believe the computer's energy field competes with our own...
Megan - I was just thinking the same thing today. Maybe my real life and my virtual life are the same. I'll share later.
Septembermom - I am coming up with some surprising conclusions.
Caroline - Filling that need and the need to be connected and present with my family is quite the challenge some days.
Lisis - Loved that email exchange. I am actually suprised at where my thoughts are taking me.
Jan - I'm definitely going to get more into this topic. I'm really feeling like separating them is not being real for me. Loved the teleconference today. Thank you.
Kristy - I know for me, I struggle with being the real me in social situations. I don't feel that way when I'm connecting with my online friends. Another something to ponder.
Jill,
I think we ALL think about this. How much is too much? Sometimes discernment like you are doing is really good. I love how you asked yourself what you might be neglecting by spending so much time on computer. I, too, look forward to your next post to learn your answer. Is there a middle road, as the Buddha might suggest? Hmmmm....
FYI, I opted out of facebook for a similar reason. No twittering either. Just too much flitting around. It is important for me to feel centered and at ease in my world. I am better for it...
Post a Comment