Fetish Focus
Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 8:05 AM DiLoPi writing prompt #9 - Write about a fetish, totem, "blankie" or other centering object that you have a) owned and revered at one time or 2) currently own and revere or 3) that your character owns and reveres or 4) that you wish you owned and revered.
Earlier this morning I was writing about being infused with thoughts or images that pass our way. We don't necessarily know they've even entered our consciousness until they pop out somewhere down the road. Continuing my journaling, I ultimately found myself answering the above writing prompt that recently showed up in my mailbox. Here is what I mused:
Starting my day with news and distractions, doesn't work for me. If I first open up my e-mail, then I'm off down a rabbit trail that often takes me away from a life-giving focus. Even though good stuff abounds - if the computer is my first default - I'm off on the circuitous trail that beckons and pulls. The flashing images are seductive. My iPad and iPod lie next to me and my MacBook is just across the room. Oh my, have they become my fetish?
Oh, the seductiveness of this technology. I curl up in bed seeking warmth and comfort. The devices call to me and promise excitement, community, new information - even devotions. I meet my friends there. My sister - fellow bloggers - the characters in Grey's Anatomy. Christine brings morning greetings and DiLoPi offers writing prompts.
When I'm lonely and bored or wanting to distract myself, I reach for a little piece of technology. I decide it's time to work or create, possibly both together. So, I turn on that glowing screen. For a moment, I choose to pass the beckoning e-mail, but... I know it's there. Just one peek? Perhaps a quick look? I tell myself. And... once I succumb, I've lost my own momentum. A force other than I has taken over and I'm off down the rabbit trail. Minutes turn into hours and ultimately a day. Frustrated with my lack of accomplishment, I turn for the comfort of more surfing. Perhaps just a blog site or two? Maybe a stop by the forum at SCS?
Will I be satisfied? It's a crap shoot - especially when I reach without forethought. I stuff another URL into my brain like stale cookies I can't even taste. I know this, and still I'm like a zombie drawn to fresh blood. The blink of the light. The push of a button. Just one more taste...
My fetish? I've vowed to turn let it go or at least I'm taking back control. I'll choose to curl up with a book instead of my iPad. No e-mail before meditation or morning pages. No infusion without first checking in with there I am! The news can wait 30 more minutes. I'm learning to block the path of the rabbit trail with timers, boundaries & mindfulness. Finding where technology nourishes me rather than allowing it to become obsession. That's often the problem with a "good" or favorite thing. We manage to manipulate it and cross the line into over-indulgence until it turns into something we don't love quite so much. Hmmmm... Gotta stop now and see what my iDictionary says about fetish :)
fetish: any object eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect or devotion
snowy pictures from 2008 - although I'm looking out the window in WallaWalla where it's snowing right now.
Mindfulness, Ritual, Writing, dilopi
Reader Comments (3)
You're ahead of me, lucy, overcoming the draw of your technological fetish! This is a great reflection, with lots to think about for the coming days.
Thank you!
You hit the nail right on the head, lucy. So much time frittered away at the computer keyboard. My kittehs know my schedule and are there to meet me, waiting patiently for me to stop typing and give them a little more attention. I really need grace and strength to pry my hands off this keyboard. There, I'll do it.
claire - i'm not sure i'm overcoming it so much as becoming aware of the impact on me when i fritter away a whole day mindlessly!!
barbara - thanks, once again, for making me smile!!! this computer business is quite challenging, particularly in light of the blessings i often receive here.
"grace and strength" are fine words - may we each find the balance we need!! xoxo
one more thing - i'm delighted to see you both ONLINE at birthing the holy :)