Minister’s Column
It was the end of the Christmas parade in downtown Mount Pleasant: the vehicles and floats, firetrucks and sirens, the churches and the community groups had all finished parading by. The crowd was going home. In the cold winter air and the rapidly emptying downtown, my wife and I noticed a new shop on Broadway that I hadn’t seen before, with a sign saying they were now open for business. The name of the store was catchy: Life Unplugged. Even better was the provocative question painted on the storefront window: What if you recharged yourself as much as you recharge your phone?
The owners of the business were charming, a young couple both recently graduated from Central Michigan University. And the items they were selling were delightful: mostly T-shirts with inventive designs, all variations on the theme of unplugging. You can see them for yourself on their website: https://www.lifeunplugged.com/collections.
I thought of this today because I saw that there is a day this week called the Global Day of Unplugging. On their website, they advocate for unplugging from our devices to improve human connections, enjoy better sleep, and have more time to accomplish goals. I know that I sometimes spend too much time on my phone, and that a walk in the woods is more refreshing than watching videos on Facebook or YouTube. Maybe this is true for you as well. A deliberate holiday from electronic devices seems like a healthy idea--I have heard this called a “social media Sabbath.” Here is what the organizers of the Global Day of Unplugging suggest for March 3-4:
- Make a plan with a friend or two ahead of time.
- Turn off smartphones, computers, personal assistants, gaming systems, and televisions.
- Start your day by singing in the shower.
- Read the newspaper.
- Meet a friend for breakfast.
- Go to the library and use the Dewy Decimal System.
- Have a conversation uninterrupted by a notification.
- Leave your mobile tech at home.
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/international/global-day-of-unplugging-sundown-to-sundown-march-3-4
May we all find ways to balance the benefits that come with being electronically connected, versus the need to put down our devices and take a break.
PRAYER:
God, we hear your voice in the call of the bird and the sound of the river. We feel your presence in our quiet moments of rest. May we cultivate moments of serenity and awareness. May we be fully alive to each moment.
Blessed be.
Rev. Drew Frantz
February 27, 2024