Unplugged

 


My siblings, parents and I would load our luggage, kitchen sink included, into the family van. We were excited to finally be on the road to visit Mom's side of the family in New York, which we did every so often. My Grammie has had a radio ever since I can remember, listening to it daily. The sound of the hymns and classical music would waft through the air like the scent of her freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, and I'm fairly certain the two would start waltzing. She has always been a huge role model for me, always thinking of what kind things she could do for others, and hardly ever watching television but for the local evening news.

He loves me.  ;) 

     Something Joel and I have been happily fascinated by lately is how much better our lives seem to be when we ignore most media. You may be wondering why we are back in the world of Facebook, and honestly, I think an explanation is in order. Although I believe absolutely one-hundred-percent of my content on the posts I wrote about leaving social media, there were a few things I had failed to consider. In short, they are that 1) being a new mom can be isolating to the point of insanity and something is better than nothing, 2) no one REALLY does email (or if they do, I had to use Facebook to request their address), and 3) because I enjoy writing, I need that platform to network. Both sides have now been experimented with and carefully considered. Here are some things our family has been doing, and why I began this post with that explanation and made this paragraph so stinking long…

    Recently Joel and I have been digging-in to our

More family time; always
a plus! 

goals. We have had to re-define, re-negotiate, and keep each other honest. One of the things that we have chosen to do is intentionally turn off the majority of both social media and negative in-put. As we have done so -and severely limited our overall dose of screen time in general- we have been able to think much more clearly. We have been reaping the benefits of choosing instead to intentionally fill our minds with positivity. The results have been astounding, and it got me thinking.

    It is no secret that our family does not have a television set. Before we were married, we each felt strongly about not bringing television into our home. Some have asked us why. And as I have more recently been reading for the purpose of personal growth, that conviction has become even stronger. My point, and the crux of our decision, is this: I can either purposefully choose what to fill

The men in my
life  :) 

my mind with, or I can let others do it for me. And the same goes for our children, for whom I am responsible and for whom I am a close example they constantly will follow after.

    It is worth noting that neither of us have a problem with the occasional movie or show or what have you. When we're sick, sometimes the laptop comes out for an episode or two. And, full disclosure, I am not always proud of the things I have chosen to watch over the years. But as I see the difference it makes in our lives to not watch, or engage much with media in general, the more I see the fruits of Philippians 4:4-9 in our lives:   "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." 

My husband and I just bought a CD player, so that we have one less reason to have our computer out all the time for no good reason (because for us, social programs and streaming services qualify as “no good reason”). Now our laptop and phones can stay in the office area for utility use, or a few minutes of Facebook just while our toddler is sleeping. And we like that arrangement, because it works for us. But you know what I love? I love that my son woke up this morning saying, “Pretty! Music! Please??”. He runs out and points to that humble radio from Walmart and thinks it's the best thing ever. I hope I am setting an example like my Grammie does; it is something I aspire to. Sometimes simple things can set us up for success and make our lives so much richer at the same time.