Saturday, January 03, 2009

Its Own Kind Of Narcotic

I've decided that Sundays will be my day away from the computer in 2009. Let's see if I can make it through day one. The big book talks about losing the right to a chemical peace of mind but some days I don't wonder if the internet is its own kind of narcotic. For me, anyway. It reminds me of when people wonder what they did before dishwashers, washing machines, central heat, and while we're at it, cars and such. As in "how did we ever manage?" I imagine I'll be having some kind of withdrawal symptoms as you read this. As my sponsor would say, "Woo hoo."

We just got back from a pre wedding dinner with about 100 other people. Not my idea of a good time. Crowds of people do not turn my crank. Tomorrow, the wedding/reception will be filled with 400+ people. It's a completely different cultural setting which would take too many words to try and explain. Tomorrow I will smile and shake hands and hopefully get a chance to visit one on one with special-to-me people. I'm going to try to not say one critical, whiny thing from beginning to end. I try, I do, to remember that it's a chance to see what I can bring to a situation instead of what I can get out of it.

I'll leave you with several quotes from one of my very favourite recovery people~ from one of his books called Destination Joy:

"A bloated or deflated ego always blocks the spirit......the alcoholic is an unfortunate combination of an egomaniac sitting on top of monumental insecurity."

"Recovery beyond sobriety is learning to be an adult, not a terrified, angry child forever acting and reacting to yesterday in an adult body."


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent quotes, Hope, and good idea about the internet thing. Same thoughts on that subject have been floating around my brain.

Mich

annie said...

I've often thought I would benefit from a day off the computer. I like both those quotes, will have to check the book out. Thanks for including the link.

Pammie said...

Love the last quote.
I'm going to copy it so I can ponder it later.
Enjoy your day. Crowds are hard for me after the first hour.

Unknown said...

Wonderful post, I at times have wondered about the same thing, but take enough timefrom the internet that I fell okay about it all; I hope that your day today is a good one and you get through the crowd with joy and grace. Many hugs!!!

Christy said...

Good luck on paring down the internet! I agree it is an addictive thing.

steveroni said...

Once I cut back on blogging for a few days--even announced it. Found that some took offense at "bloggers who cannot keep a committment, a contract."

So I've been trying to do my best to keepup evey day since (the myth of perfection???) and it just ain't working out!

Maybe you have offered me a solution, a compromise, a way to sneak a "day off"...thank you

One Prayer Girl said...

I love your quotes at the bottom.
They are me!!!

Look forward to finding out what you ended up wearing to the wedding and how it went.

I think taking a day off from blogging is a fine idea.

Love and prayers being sent your way.

Lou said...

Hello..hello..are you there..come on...you know you want to check your email...

Peter said...

Hey Hope, not a bad idea. I might do an internet fast Sundays as well.

Thirsty Girl said...

Yes I think it is a narcotic. I really need to establish some no-computer time.

Love the quotes.

Jim said...

Blogging, for me, is just another form of journal. This one just allows others to travel with me if they so desire. Is it "addictive" in any manner? No doubt; and a bit so because one realizes there are those few who "tune in" and begin to worry if too big a vacuum pops up between posts. With my style of writing, it's easy to get off the path and think that all that goes into a post is a form of prayer, a thinking on heavenly things; but it is not. The thinking should be what takes me into prayer. It can never replace it. At any rate, it was a transition when I learned the "journal" did not have to be a daily assignment and began to take a two or three day break between entries. Enjoy your "day off", my friend. I'll be by to enjoy the meal as you set the table....