Ten Things I learned from Being Unplugged for One-Week!

Making the decision to go unplugged isn't something that is hard for me as it seemed for one in a recent conversation. It was rather funny when the look on my friend's face, who had just said, "It was all over social media...I mean, I'm not on social media, but I know you are (referring to me)." I replied, "I have been unplugged for the past week, besides anyone that knows I post from one and it goes viral to the others." She was still not convinced. What I realized was that with so many people on their phones at every turn, me rarely communicating, but instead taking photos, it is hard to believe that someone could unplug for 7 minutes, 7 hours, much less 7 days. However, I can do it. Being unplugged, even for short scheduled times, cultivates time and moments you might otherwise miss.

If you review my posts especially on my personal Facebook, I took a period of time in 2015 completely off social media. It was very end of that year and the first of 2016 that I focused my posts on photography and words of empowerment. During this time of being unplugged, I needed to refresh, renew and regroup due to a life-experience called divorce. It was worth taking a break for everything electronic except text message and email, primarily to key people in my life during that time, to come to Christ, know God's Word, learn to lead my family and know who I was as a person. It was a time of no excuse self-discovery as well as learning. It was a personal choice, not a recommendation, although, I do suggest unplugging for a time during a life-experience to breath. Being unplugged cultivates the opportunity to grow, learn and know that your are strong, courageous and find the peace within your being.

My reasoning for unplugging this time was a bit different. Garrett was off to his third special session camp of the summer. It has been such a change having him gone because he has gone through separation anxiety and other emotions as well as a health crisis that left him unsure of being away from me or home. Through one camp, he has grown tremendously and I felt comfortable to have an adventure myself. So, when the things fell in place, from subs at work to someone to stay at my house and care for my mother, I was ready to go visit my best friend in Florida. However, finances hit the fan when Garrett had to have a physical, mid-year of his annual, for this last camp and insurance didn't pay for it. Also, I had other expenses surrounding him going this trip. Being unplugged cultivates decision, focus and to realize maybe you have choices other than the ones you thought.

Two days before I was to take Garrett to camp, I got a text message from a friend who was asking for another friends phone number. I asked if she might keep an eye out for my mother, maybe come by and check on her. I explained briefly why and that Garrett was going to camp and I was getting a tent and going to the woods somewhere. She replied back if I had no where really to go, just come hang out at their lake house. Really?! I refused. Then it happened, I went. I was humbled and in awe that someone would open this home to me for a whole week, but she did more than that. She opened her family, fridge and we have become strong friends. The first morning, I made coffee and found this mug that read, "It's All Good" and went about doing what I do, tiding an already organized place, but I had to find myself and what I was to do. I then found the pool. Being unplugged cultivated breath, sounds of nature, thoughts of how I was blessed and how I can be more thankful. 

Having been in the mood for Christmas in July, the week progressed to my going shopping for a couple of Christmas presents, wedding gifts and enjoying pizza with pesto. I took time to read a book on creating and another on the mustard seed as it related to scripture from the New Testament. My personal Bible Study was revealing even after I returned home that I see I need, as we all do, to be more compassionate, loving and understanding. Who doesn't. Then I learned some characteristics of a godly woman from my friend who opened this home to me, we shared dinner one night and I learned that I want to be more, "It's all good," in my response, to think more loving to respond in prayer rather than defending my actions or words. Asking, will what I am saying stand in court here on earth or more so before the Higher Court of the Father. Bro. Doug, our pastor, says, "Love God, Love others, Serve both." We all fall and fumble, but being unplugged cultivates a community of service, putting others first before ourselves, giving us the power to be unique individuals that He made.

By the last day of my adventure, I was ready to pick my boy up from camp. I had met my other bestie on the day I dropped Garrett off at camp and throughout the week, we had emailed back and forth. She was great in giving me advice on places to run/walk and then we talked about where God had brought us from to where we are today. She was about to take a job helping individuals with life-experiences I had come out of. It was amazing to talk about this with someone when you are on the other side of the experience and the joys that God has brought. I unplugged from everything, but email and text messages. I did take a couple of phone calls during the week, but I unplugged from television, internet, all social medias, and I have a few, plus manage several pages. So, when I took to the road for that Saturday run, I was renewed and refreshed. I took photos more than worked out. Being unplugged gave me a fresh look through not only the lens of my camera, but the lens of my life.

I loved the next two photos because these describe me as a running. First, slow! There are two of these on the road, one at the beginning and one at the end. There is really no other way to go on this road, but slow. Going up the road, the transmission on the Dodge Caravan of 324,000 miles stayed in high gear. I was concerned that with no cell connection if it quit, I was in big trouble, so running the road, I drove up to the end so I was already there lol and took to footing it. Being unplugged brings a slower pace, alters the run and creates a balance in our lives we need to live longer, be more productive and to make healthy choices. 

Here's your sign! Love the mileage limit sign! It was too funny because as a running I am very slow! My time is a little better than this sign, but still...I laughed to the point that I almost couldn't run. I couldn't drive this fast because the "horseshoe bends" were too close together on the road. I was pleased that the length of the run here was six-miles when put with the adjoining roads. Being unplugged got me out of my comfort zone and the courage to try something new.

Self-discovery is something significant that happened this week. I sent in my business plan to a mentor I had talked with a couple of months ago. Then I evaluated areas I needed to say "no" to and that was confirmed once I arrived home. Amazing how God works in you allowing things to menifest the seeds He has already planted, just a shame sometimes they have to be "Peter" or "Mark" kind a moments for us, thankfully there is grace and forgiveness. Regardless, being unplugged helps us mature, grow and in that we learn where we can be of service for Him, others and ourselves.

However, one thing I noticed is how the guilt and related emotions can take a hold on us when we take time for ourselves. Taking captive our thoughts is vital in everything we do. If we are thinking something negative or that is wrong, it is our responsibility to take the thought captive and be obedient in doing so to the Word of God, claiming the power we were endowed with when we became children of the High Most King. Being obedient to God blesses Him which blesses us. Learning to take captive those thoughts helped me be a better mom, daughter, employee and student of the Word this week. I think I turned out to be a better friend to the friend who owns the lake house too. She certainly will never know who much she has blessed my life and my world. I am grateful. Being unplugged creates rest and renewal, hope in things bigger than ourselves. 

Now, I issue a challenge...take on the armor of God, take captive your thoughts, go unplugged...Breath in your nose out your mouth counting to five in and out. Do this seven times. Counting relieves anxiety and stress as well. Count from one-hundred backwards helps tremendously too. See for yourself how blessed your life will be for being unplugged. 

Hugs and happy trials to you...
Rita