Offline
Image by Scott Witt
I’m offline for the rest of 2009.
I remember a time when I spent more time on my computer at home than I did at work. But that was a long time ago. These days, by the time I get home, I’m ready to not sit in front of a laptop screen for the rest of the evening.
Unfortunately, there are some days when I can’t. There are days when projects spill over into personal time, and times when responsibilities force me to recover site crashes and issues during hours where I’d rather be doing something else.
So, I’m declaring the rest of 2009 to be offline.
This doesn’t mean that I won’t occasionally hop on my laptop to check on something, or to read news, find scores, etc. It does mean, however, that I’m relinquishing the pressure to keep my life updated digitally on a regular basis.
No new blog posts, no Facebook status updates or tweets. Apart from a picture here and there of my kids in their Christmas joy, I’m effectively resigning from being a part of the digital space for the next three weeks.
Don’t get me wrong… there is no one complaining, asking, “Why haven’t you blogged in the last month?” I highly doubt many people will even read this declaration. I’m simply letting myself off the hook, and stepping away from self-made deadlines and pressures that don’t need to be on my shoulders right now.
I’ll return in 2010, although I don’t know what the new patterns will look like. I need more contemplation in my life and less public discourse. I need to invest in a few key friendships and relationships in a deeper way, and worry less about what the digital world, in general, thinks of me.
It will be a healthy break that will make me a better person. And, perhaps, it will teach me that being my own harshest critic deserves a little breathing room now and then.
Share this post on... 
Conversation About This Post...
Ryan shared their voice on 01.07.2010:
Chris,
Good post. Encouraging and challenging. I do want to tell you one thing, you had a post earlier in the year that talked about your daily reading schedule (I think it was one of your ‘Most Important Times of the Day’ post) and it encouraged me to go for more of a daily reading schedule in my own life, I did it and it has made a big difference in my life, mainly setting up more time to be with Jesus and in His word and that is what is making the difference. It was about the mornings for me, always hard to push through and do it, but after reading your blog it sparked something in me (I think the Holy Spirit used your post) and I started adding reading times in the morning. Mostly reading the word but also some other God centered books. It brings joy and life to me to do this on a consistent basis and in the quiet of the morning and at the beginning of the day. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for posting that, God used it to graciously challenge and call me into more times with Him.
Alright man, talk to you soon - see you on Twitter!
Add Your Voice...
Sorry. Commenting is no longer available for this post. In most cases, you may leave comments up to 30 days from the time a post is published.
What Are Thin Places?
"Thin Places" are rich in Celtic tradition. They are the places in our lives where the divine and the natural worlds come so close together that we can catch a glimpse of God. For the Celtics these places were very real - places within creation where we could physically go. The Thin Places in our own lives are those moments where the space between us & the Kingdom is thin, when we are introduced to a greater glimpse of Who He is through our experiences and through the stories of others.
Where From Here?
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on 12.10.2009.
The previous post in this blog was
"Leaders With a Limp"
The next post in this blog is
"A Cautious Step Forward"
More can be found on the home page, by using the search box at the top of the screen, or by looking through the archives below.
The Whole Shebang
- July 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
Need something older than a year?
There's a lot here (539 posts, to be exact, dating all the way back to 08.30.2003). Try using the search box at the top of the screen.
Latest Life...
Follow me on Twitter
Daniel Decker shared their voice on 12.10.2009:
Good for you Chris. I took down my blog a few months ago, in part for this reason. I needed to find a better rhythm and a clearer focus of WHY I was even doing it in the first place. I still engage Twitter and Facebook regularly but the short nature of those mediums makes it much easier from a time standpoint. Twitter is my open portal to network and connect. Facebook is more for people I know or at least have a tighter connection with. I can fully appreciate taking a break from it all though so blessings to you and your family during this Simple Christmas season. :)