Unplug

Daily writing prompt

What do you wish you could do more every day?

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After being around for over 50 years, I’ve had the privilege of living in the simpler days free of devices and the urgency to respond to everyone ASAP. In the last few decades, I’ve also found myself with the masses struggling to unplug. Fighting the need to do everything , see everything, and respond to every ping . Resisting the urge to keep up to date with blow by blow description of every event in real time. I long for the days when I spent days away from anything electronic. The days when curling up with a good book or a magazine was enough. When you by my side was enough – no desire to look at a screen.

Recently, I was blessed with a few days of R&R. This sign was on my door at the resort for the entire length of stay. I need more of this daily. Sometimes a few moments will do. So often I find myself running from one task to another. Even though I love what I do, this kind of ‘energizer-bunny’ routine eventually increases the wear and tear on my body, spirit and mind. There are weeks that my mealtime passes by like the speed of light – I occasionally get to sit and savor the tastes of the foods before me. Often eating and multitasking with a device to catch up of missed messages. I need to unplug and slow down way more often. Do you feel me?

Slow me down
Let me unwind
If only for one moment
Breathe a little
Look away
Ignore that sound

I won’t let you
Hold me – capture me
Release your grip
Free me from this prison
That urgency
That need to look

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

One handful of peace and quiet is better than two handfuls of hard work and of trying to catch the wind.

Psalm 55:6; Ecclesiastes 4:6