Inspiration: Tuning Out, Turning In…
“Today is life; the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” Dale Carnegie
Inspiration: Tuning Out, Turning In... reconnect with the earth and other hobbies
If Social Media died tomorrow, what hobby might you get into? What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing? Before the explosion of the internet and all its perils and benefits, we spent our time on other pursuits that kept us equally busy and focused. I find it hard to believe that six years ago or so, I spent less time on the internet and even less time writing about it. Today, there are endless ways to stay connected and Social Media has given us many terrific ways to socialize and network online. However, we are often tuned in and plugged in to a ton of information on the 24/7 highway that makes it difficult to focus on other things; thus creating opportunities for information overload and harrowing public gaffes like we’ve seen lately. How do we reclaim our time and life and follow alternative paths? What can/must we do to tune out the noise and turn into our quiet voice within; the inner journey… all answers to the unknown are there. Or are they?
#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge. The #Trust30 Prompt: Consistent daily action is only a virtue when bundled with a willingness to remain open to the unknown. In this exercise, look at your current quest and ask, “What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?”
When I read the prompts from MamaKat’s Writer’s Workshop: If Social Media died tomorrow, what hobby might you get into? and RalphWaldoEmerson.me: What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?, my initial reaction to the questions would be to say, tune out the noise, turn off the internet, reconnect with the things that give you joy; your hobbies, your friends and your family, new interests that involve movement and active pursuits that don’t involve a 14 inch screen… Meditation? Gardening? We can’t tune out and turn in unless we … stop. How can we consider alternatives, hobbies, new paths and interpretations if we don’t stop for a moment to regroup and reflect on our full range of inspiring options? What options would you recommend?
When good is near you, when you have life in yourself, it is not by any known or accustomed way; you shall not discern the foot-prints of any other; you shall not see the face of man; you shall not hear any name; the way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Inspiration: Tuning Out, Turning In... build a diorama - scale miniature railroad & village
What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing? Until we spend time away from the din and rat race, we won’t be able to truly reflect on the road ahead and see the forest for the trees. We need quiet and reflection for this to be clear. We can only discern good and the life in us when we spend contemplative time with ourselves.
The constant churning-out and gathering-in of info on the internet highway will not give us enough speed-bumps on the road to self that we need. A new path and an alternative approach is required. We can start with the familiar; things we did before we got caught up in the world wide web. You know, things like dancing, photography/writing/traveling for a living (my #1 choice), painting, knitting, walking in nature, making things, baking, and all those hobbies we packed away with our land line telephones… What are your thoughts? What do you need to tune out? What opportunities or paths are beckoning to you? What holds you back? Do share! Thank you. 😉
This post was inspired by a prompt from MamaKat’s Writer’s Workshop: If Social Media died tomorrow, what hobby might you get into? and RalphWaldoEmerson.me: What alternative opportunities, interpretations and paths am I not seeing?
Positive Motivation Tip: When we give ourselves the time and space to tune out the noise, we can tune in to our inner voice and our calling. Go inside…
Related articles
- Reflections: Wherever We Go, There We Are (eof737.wordpress.com)
- Inspiration: To Thine Own Self Be True (eof737.wordpress.com)
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: Self Reliance Prompt #10 (miriamgomberg.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of Gardening, and Diorama of village via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
If social media died tomorrow, I would start doing more design and stuff related to design. I am taking a sewing class in July and I’d really like to learn the art of textiles and upholstery. Also I really should know how to sew just in case I find myself torn one day. Knowing how to self-care is very important.
Sewing is a great skill and one I’m glad I learned as a child. I’m hooked on travel and learning photography that I’ll stay as busy as ever. It is remarkable that in such a short time, we have become so addicted to life on the web that it supersedes everything else. TY! 🙂
Interestingly in 2009, a switch went off on Facebook Farm Town, Yoville, Farmville, and doors opened to my backyard gardening, photography, blogging. It is very refreshing to experience real growth and interaction. Thankfully, I have been awakened, and I celebrate life daily. Learning to live, laugh, look with love. 🙂
I hear you and I’m all for taking back our lives from the plugged in www. TY! 🙂
If social media died tomorrow, I would get more reading done, as this is my second favorite thing to do. My newest novel “The Help” is still sitting on the nightstand collecting dust ! Life is great ! and I think Social Media is here to stay !!
Hi Penny, I have nothing against Social Media and it is here to stay, however, we do spend a lot of time engaged in all these online social sites. It can be incredibly time consuming if we don’t monitor our involvement… I love the connections I’ve made through it and look forward to other new media in the pipeline. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
I would get my book illustrated for one thing. I do have to choose a day to tune out and paint. That’s the only way I can keep it all going.
Interesting post!
thanks, b
That sounds terrific and makes a huge difference… I have cut back on some of my sm site visits; simply not enough hours in the day to do it all. I try to schedule in time to visit so I can stay in touch with sit friends and connect with new friends. It does require some balancing act. TY! 🙂
I’d still be reading and writing . . . books instead of blogs. 😀
I find balance in walking, swimming, biking, cooking, singing, playing the guitar, painting, etc.
Same here… I still do my stuff but the extra time spent on sm work does take up more time. I’m always figuring out ways to make it all work. Not easy! TY 🙂
I would read much more than I do now. BUT I sincerely hope it doesn’t die because I’m not a big phone person and Facebook is a great way for me to communicate with friends and family other than the phone.
Same here; especially as I’ve always loved reading. A good chunk of time goes into the sm and blog followup. I spend less time now on FB and a host of others not because of any other reason than time. The hours in the day are simply not enough to do it all in a meaningful way. TY! 🙂
I’ve cut back on FB, taken it off my phone so I’m not constantly and instantly ON. I don’t access Twitter or LinkedIn from my phone anymore either. But if I had to choose, it’d be difficult — there are so many things I’m interested in. Traveling is my interest du jour — there’s so much out there to discover! I could also write more, meditate or mentor more.
I want to be a better photographer so I’d love to spend some time honing that skill. Ditto pottery and drawing.
I’m with you on the interests you mention. I’d like to be a better photographer too and do more things that will help me grow… I’m working towards them but they will require an adjustment of other sm priorities for sure. TY! 🙂
Oh Elizabeth! I can’t imagine you needing a photography class! Your photos are always beautiful and just right for your writing!
For me, I love gardening and sketching, tennis and playing with my son. I already do the playing and gardening. Regardless of social media, I would like to do all these things and read, watch movies, shop, learn to knit, and write a novel, but I still would not have time. Without sm, the truth is I’d probably end up on my rear end watching TV so for me sm is a great thing! 🙂
Thanks for the honesty Karen… I had a good laugh over your TV watching comment… There are never enough hours in a day so we make do with what we have, eh?
I’d love to be able to finish half the books on my bedside table… I have some awesome books to read but time is so freaking short that each book takes longer to read. Oy vey.
Thank you God for all your mercies… I won’t complain. 😉
of course there is an information overload – but I like to read continuously your daily blog – while I cancel some other behaviors as not important …
Hi Frizztext,
Thnak you for your unwavering support! I enjoy your blog and impressive collection of photographs too… Sometimes I wish we had more hours in the day so I can do more… TY! 🙂
I take up my dressmaking and knitting again. Might even make a few curtains. I am a good dressmaker and might even have the chance again now with the girls. I will probably knit over summer for next winter if I can find the time. These days I drive to work – the train was a GREAT place to knit!
Good for you to have those skills… a dying art in some places. I sew but not enough to make a dress. Knitting was something I used to enjoy but I haven’t done it in many, many years. TY! 🙂
Great question. I would read, write and publish books. I would be more creative and invent things to do.