We're in a time right now of intense political, social, economic, and even military pressure. The world seems like a crazy place, in which events are unfolding so quickly and destructively, many wonder if there is anywhere left in the world that is safe anymore. We reminisce about the good ol' days, when life seemed slower, simpler, fuller.
We can get bogged down by the news, run down by talking heads, distracted by innumerable headlines, and worn down by all the ways we use media to numb or distract from what all the zeros and ones are foisting upon us--at least that's how we see it.
It's easy to feel that the walls are closing in, that all there is to life is what's contained in that small 15, 40, or 60 inch screen; that the whole of the earth and the cosmos around it are fully represented by CBC, Fox News, or CNN.
Here are a few things that come to mind that can help us live more fully in the present moment and in the midst of seeming chaos and upheaval.
1. Tune-out; turn off: We want to be informed and we want to be empathetic and reactive and angry and sad and hopeful and mournful all at the same time by what we see happening all around our world; however, there is something important about stepping back and allowing ourselves to get a fuller picture of life, to delve deeply into the life of those around us, to get outside into nature, to feel the warmth of the sun or the chill of the wind or a falling leaf to graze our shoulder on its way to ground. There's an importance in turning off the computer, unplugging your wi-fi, putting your mobile phone on airplane mode, and just being in the moment of your life.
2. Have a feast: What about having an impromptu feast--a feast of hope, of glad tidings. How about inviting people over to a simple roast, leaving the t.v. off, gathering up all the mobile phones at the door, sitting in candle light, and sharing life with one another? When we're in front of our computers all day, or televisions all night, gorging ourselves on the news, we can often feel estranged and alone. All the tools that promise to connect us (Facebook, Twitter, etc) actually make us feel more isolated, according to numerous studies. In fact, Facebook is known to enhance envy and heightened personal inadequacy. Why do we turn to them? To numb the pain of our world; to fix our feelings of estrangement, our loneliness. When we gather together with others and share a meal or an experience together, we feel more human; we are able to share our joys and sorrows together. We come to realize we're not alone.
3. Walk the dog: This is another great activity, if you have one. There's something wonderful about heading out with this other being that, in spite of its inability to speak our language, can communicate with us without words so well. Something to think about in our wordy world: how people can have such profound relationships with their pets when the latter can't say anything at all. How powerful that relationship built on silence. Maybe you're not the one to take the dog for a walk; maybe you only take it out twice a day for a little ditty around the block. I encourage you to take the dog out once to twice more daily, and for a little longer distance. Gaze up at the sky, feel your breath on the exhale, stop to notice trees or stars, or other things.
4. Get out for a good drive: I'm not talking about taking your anger out on the road with you; but taking a scenic drive somewhere, putting on your favourite tunes (preferably something uplifting), and getting away from it all. Take your spouse and kids as well, and stop at some far away place for ice cream or a bite to eat. You'll feel you're on a journey, even if it's just 20 minutes up the road.
5. Read a good book: If you've ditched your book library for your Kindle, it's time to build it back up again. Physical books have a silence to them that is so soothing for the media-weary eyes. Find some place comfortable, pour yourself a soothing cup of tea, and get lost in a good story. If you don't know what to read, check out GoodReads or the New York Times Best Seller List.
6. Visit someone who is lonely or sick: Do you have a relative who is lonely? Someone in your family who is alone? Do you know of someone who is sick in the hospital in need of simple company? Visiting someone who is sick or alone is an important way to touch life, to understand the human condition outside of the warped representations of media. Being with someone who is lonely will provide mutual edification, even if there are awkward silences or even disagreements.
There are many things we can do away from our computers and media-addictions that can help us touch life in a realer way. These are just a few. But it takes stepping away from the computer and entering the funk of life to understand it. The issue here is that unless we do this, unless we can break away from technology, we are under threat to simply amalgamate into them--they become us, and we become them. Then how well will we be able to touch life then?
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