Unplugging

“No phone, no phone/ I just want to be alone today.”  --Cake, “No Phone”

For Sabbath-observant Jewish readers, the Sabbath Manifesto probably sounds familiar.  Since my job at CEP involves sitting in front of a computer for nearly 8 hours a day doing data entry for fundraising or other computer-centric activities, when given the opportunity, I turn off the tech.  When I arrived in Alexandria in July, I arrived to my aunt and uncle’s house without electricity.  Turns out that situation was truly a blessing—albeit a hot, sweaty, cranky-cat one—for helping me appreciate life without beeps, buzzes, and screens.  OK, fine, I had to use my cell phone to keep in touch with my aunt and uncle in their absence, but other than that, I wasn’t plugged in.

I took the Sabbath Manifesto a few weekends ago, and noticed that I felt more at-ease and was happy to do all my writing in my notebook.  You can probably tell from this train of thought that I was raised by my grandparents. Though I will not deny technology is useful (it’s allowing me to talk to you right now), like all things, moderation is the key.

I will stop writing this sermon now and…for as much as possible during the long weekend, unplug.