turning off and tuning in

There is an Ensign article with this exact title in the August magazine, and it really got me thinking.

I'm back from Lake Powell, and there isn't any cellular service there, unless you climb the top of a mountain, told your right arm up in the air, stick your left foot out and stand still like a tree. I admit that I haven't always loved the fact that when I go somewhere I don't get cell service. I feel like I have to stay connected because if someone wants to get ahold of me and they can't, well that could be detrimental!! Upon travelling to the different countries Travis and I have been to, I've realized to cherish the fact that I'm unplugged and unavailable.

When I have my phone off, and am unable to get service, I feel like everything my eyes behold is something precious. I feel like my conversations with people are less rushed and more genuine. I pay attention better to the people around me and the environment I'm in. I really enjoy those times now, and I look forward to them.

In addition to not having cell service and turning my phone off, we have not had T.V. or internet for over a month now! When we first moved in and sat down to consider our bills and payments, etc, we were thinking about possibly getting TV and internet as a bundle. We couldn't find a deal that we liked, so I proposed an idea to Travis about not getting TV ever. I told him we should just do a trial run for a few months and see what happens; see what our lives are like. It would be nice if we could have internet for when I start school again, and also to keep up with messages from work, but I do ok without it. I use the internet at my parents' house, at UVU, and while I'm at work. Life is totally different without TV! I feel like my language and thoughts are cleaner, I am getting more things done during the day, and I'm not killing my brain cells! :) (Okay not all TV shows are bad...some are good).

Lastly, the stereo in my car is totally busted. For some reason music will play for about a minute and then it just stops. It hasn't worked for about 8 months now, and I don't really miss it. Every once in a while I want to listen to a song while I'm driving, but now I look forward to the peace and quiet I experience while driving. Plus it's much less distracting. It's my time to daydream, ponder and tune in for personal inspiration and growth. I drive about 50 minuntes to work and another 50 mins back (longer depending on traffic) so I have a lot quiet "me" time. I enjoy the silence but during that time I also make calls to catch up with people I haven't talked to in a while. For those of you I've called... you can attest that this is true! :)

Technology is great, and don't get me wrong, I take full advantage of it. :) "I love technology.... but nooooot as much as you, you see...."

I'm just saying that since I've not watched TV, listened to music while driving, turned off my cell phone and not had the internet at home, I've seen some changes in my own personal life. May not be the same for everyone! I have a really thin filter so whatever goes into my brain, sticks. That's why I get nightmares easily! I've decided that instead of trying to create a stronger filter, I'll just avoid those things all together. It's really helped. As for getting the internet? Who knows. Could be a couple months. TV? Maybe never. I don't miss it. Everyone catches me up-to-date anyway on those shows I haven't watched.

Getting off the couch and going out to do things has been very refreshing for me and exactly what I needed. I used to think that people who didn't have TV were absolutely crazy, but now I completely understand!