This weekend Stephen and I went away to Vermont. As we drove towards the mountains, the service on our phones became spotty. Then when we arrived at our destination we realized we would have to go through our weekend unplugged.
Hmmmm...not what we expected but we went with it.
Don't get me wrong, we were headed to the mountains to snowshoe, not to sit on our phones or computers all weekend. Yet I had planned to finish a couple things while we were there.
Well, those plans changed. And I am so grateful they did.
Spending the weekend unplugged from the world was just what I needed. I needed fresh air, sunshine, Stephen's company, time in nature, some good food and R&R. Often I found myself...
Pausing. Breathing. Praying.
It was lovely. It made me think about how the best connections for me are not through texts, email, and social media. Yes, those are in many ways beneficial and convenient but it really does not fuel me the way in-person connections do.
Being unplugged and tuned into where I was and who I was with is what really recharges my batteries.
I am sharing this in case you too are needing to recharge. We don't need to go away to a mountain top in Vermont or maybe for you it's to a beach in the Caribbean. Instead I invite you to join me to...
Pause. Breathe. Pray.
We simply need to create moments of pause throughout our days and put our screens away. We need to be present where we are and connect with who we are with. To put this into practice, at some point today lets choose to lay down the phone, or shut off the computer or tv, and just be. Spend some time alone in silence and take in our surroundings or soak up some quality time with our loved ones - or even entertain the company of a stranger.
Wherever we are, lets be there, and choose to make an in-person connection that will truly renew your Spirit.
With love and hope,
Shawn
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2