The most fulfilling oxymoron is the notion of disconnecting to connect. In today's rushed world, our day-to-day lifestyle revolves around task-management, time-management and coordinating competing schedules. Often the most effective way to actually connect is to disconnect.
If the phone isn't ringing its pinging: facebook, instagram, email, telegram, a constant onslaught. Not to
mention the fact that once you open these applications, it takes the will of Conan the Barbarian to extricate yourself from a thread of reels, from dramatic comment wars, from looking at other peoples perfect pictures or watching videos that often do little to actually enhance the life you are ignoring as you focus your attention on the device in your hands.
My family and I recently took a week's winter vacation to Dullstroom (a small town). We stayed out in the veld with very little "to do" and even less connectivity. No wifi, and only intermittent cellular network. From a tech perspective we were fairly disconnected. In the absence of social media and netflix, our time was spent connecting.
Connecting with our children through long walks, putt-putt and board-games. Sitting by the fire and having dinner conversations about everything and nothing. I can't even remember the last time I had long, intense deeper level discussions... it was invigorating. Connecting with nature and finding beauty in the expanse as well as in the intricacy.
By disconnecting, you are also able to connect to life by becoming more aware, more conscious of your time and your influence. You may even be able to connect with yourself in a way you have long since neglected.
Fortunately it is part of my culture to disconnect once a week, with the explicit aim of connecting. Connecting spiritually, connecting with family, connecting with community. A time to focus on and discuss matters outside of the daily buzz and the daily rush. A focus on the obligation to observe and remember the importance of a day of rest.
Obviously disconnecting from tech and disconnecting from the daily rush is impossible to do over a long term period and is likely to be dangerous; we have jobs and school and errands and deadlines. But next time you book a holiday. You may want to book somewhere that forces you to disconnect, or at least to disconnect enough in order to connect.
Wishing you peace and strong connection (the right kind of connection)
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