After almost three weeks, I am blogging again. Two of those weeks were a total computer fast. The first day of my fast was crazy. I kept thinking, “I should check the internet for…oh wait, I’m not using the computer.” After that, it was wonderful. No computer troubles and frustrations. More time for other things. Less random voices bouncing around in my head.
After two weeks without a computer, I can better see the good and bad of the internet and computer. Certainly it allows one to access a lot of information. At the same time, perhaps it allows us to access too much information. I need to set limits. I need to surf less. I need to visit fewer blogs and visit them less often. I need less random voices bouncing around in my head.
The internet also helps us connect with others. And yet often this is rather shallow. I know what people are doing on Facebook, but how well do I really know most of them? I have already determined I want to check my e-mail less often and Facebook even less. I want to spend more time with my family and less time with my computer.
The internet can also be a powerful platform for presenting ideas. I blog to share thoughts with others. Yet I need to take a break from time to time to just listen. And I need to care less about my stats. The irony is – though I haven’t written for almost three weeks in August, August will turn out to be one of the top three months for people seeing this blog. Go figure!
Bottom line: The internet is a wonderful tool that can become almost god-like in our lives if we let it. I don’t need to check my e-mail, Facebook, blog one more time. I don’t need to surf other blogs so often. It won’t make my day any better. It will probably just add more random voices to my already full head.
Do you find yourself always on the computer, checking e-mail or Facebook several times a day, spending hours surfing the web? I recommend a computer fast to regain some perspective. You might be surprised at how wonderful life can be without it – without so many random thoughts bouncing around in your head!
Brian J. Mikul 
Hey Brian,
I applaud your efforts. Really I do. I wish I could do that. But I can’t even if I wanted to. I’m literally addicted to fb and all that it offers (good and bad). And that takes away from the time that I really NEED to spend online with school, etc.
And when I’m not online, I’m probably sleeping (from depression), cuz it’s very difficult for me to face my school work and tackle it head-on. (Which is also why I’m considering moving to Phoenix. That way I can sit in the classroom and study with real people face-to-face rather than staring at a computer all day.
So I could use your prayers for me as I try to break free of an addiction and learn to use the internet as a tool for my success and not as the drug it’s become for me.
God bless,
– tim in seattle
Tim,
Everything you say is why I suggest a fast. Cut the idol loose for a week or two and see that you really can live better without it. Of course doing an on-line class would require you to wait until it is finished. I had to wait several months to work it out that I could take the time off as I use the computer for ministry daily. This post has generated more views than usual so I suspect you are not alone in your struggle. I will pray for you.
Brian
Brian,
First of all, with your new commitment to cut back on hearing too many voices, I realize mine may be one that didn’t make the cut. You may not even read this reply.
But in case you do, and for what it is worth, I just wanted to add that I have made similar changes. It was good for me to be away from the internet a few times this summer.
I am currently exorcising a discepline that I feel good about. I check my blog once a day (in the morning). I look at comments and new posts by the few I follow. Once a week I allow myself to look at stats.
I don’t do facebook or anything. Just my blog and email. Most of the time I am on the computer it is to write.
I have enjoyed the connection we have made, though there is not a lot of commenting. Maybe with a little more time for quality we could improve on that.
All for now,
Mike
PS Sorrow for Tim. I will pray that the Lord helps you with your problem. It does rob us of time with Him. And in any case, that is not good.
Mike,
Comments on my blog still make the cut – I get precious few to not read them! 🙂 Your blog also makes the cut. Right now I’m still figuring out which blogs I will visit and when – probably once or twice a week, as some don’t post everyday. May God help us hold to our resolve.
I can relate to the precious few comments. But even that is part of the discipline. Somehow it is natural to desire them but it can’t be the motivation for posting. You want to know that what you’re doing is connecting/helping, and I guess comments are the only way we know.
Being a guy, I have been glad I could tell my wife that I not only have a couple of women whose writing I keep track of and who comment on my writing, but that I have a couple of guys also. Don’t want to lose the guys. It keeps me out of trouble. 🙂
I will by all means keep reading to keep you out of trouble! 🙂