The Upcoming Fast

[j_cheney]

So, I'm planning on fasting someday soon. I read this interesting article The Longest Day* and found myself thinking that I should try that. Not as difficult for me as it is for some people, of course.

Here are the rules as proposed by the professor:
No television, computers, iPods or other MP3 devices, radio, video games, CD players, records or cellphones (or land lines) for 24 hours.

OK, I don't think I can give up the land-line--but incoming calls only. (I hardly ever use the phone anyway, so it's not as bad as it sounds) But everything else will go for one day. This also means no radio in the car, no radio at the gym, no going to Starbucks or stores where there are radios (which is pretty much all stores except for the garden section of Lowe's).

I'm just curious to see what I learn from it. I'm thinking about next Tuesday.

*I hope the link works.

Comments

Ouch

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

Not sure if I want to try that one ^_^

Re: Ouch

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Well, I know I'm wasting too much time, and I hope that this will help me to decide how to minimize that. I'm also planning on getting of-line more...too many real-time interruptions. We'll see.

[ellameena.livejournal.com]

My whole vacation was like that. I think I heard some radio a couple of times from other campsites, but in general I like being disconnected. It's very relaxing.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm hoping. I'm thinking I can do a lot of reading, as well as some pencil and paper writing for a change. I need that.

Perhaps I'll do it regularly...(if it doesn't kill me)

[janni.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we did this on our vacation too, save for the time we were actually in the city. But were completely unplugged something like 11 days.

Most of our vacations involve at most checking for phone messages once a day and nothing else, though. So this was only a small step from that. One of the points of a vacation is disengaging and getting away, for me.

[theladywolf.livejournal.com]

It would be pretty hard for me to give up the computer and the Internet. the rest would be a dawdle though. I often knock off the radio in the car to give myself a chance to think. However when the phone rings or a text comes in, I find it almost impossible not to race off and check it.

I once did a retreat where we weren't allowed to talk, wear watches or have any of the above for three days, and we had to get up at dawn which was four thirty. We all protested like mad before we had to shut up or go home. But at the end of it all, nobody really wanted to go back to talking again.

But we did anyway. :D

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

The music will be the hardest thing for me to do without, I think....

We'll see.

[dfable.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'd have a problem with giving up most of that stuff, but the computer would be hard. I'd almost have to be out in the woods, far from my computer, to keep away from it. I could see myself forgetting and going on accidentally. Good luck.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Thanks...the thing that's really going to be hard is the music. I'm accustomed to having that all day. Hope I don't forget.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

heh. Grew up in a town that didn't have TV. Done the no TV, no phones, no radio, no computer many times, even as an adult.
I only ever listen to radio or CDs in the car.

No big.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

To each his own....

[rcloenen-ruiz.livejournal.com]

No television, computers, iPods or other MP3 devices, radio, video games, CD players, records or cellphones (or land lines) for 24 hours.

Hmmmm...reminds me of the first couple of days after the baby was born. But I suppose that doesn't count...

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Sounds close enough for me....;o)