So, possibly this past week I made the best $10 purchase of my life.>
And no, I’m not talking about the bag of cherries I bought at the grocery store – though that comes in a close, cheaper second. Mmm. Breakfast.
Nope, talking about this: I purchased and downloaded a nifty little piece of software called Freedom. Basically the software will disable your Internet for however long the user indicates – up to 8 hours at a time – all with the goal of forcing you to focus.
Now, true, some people have more self-discipline than me. They don’t get distracted by ridiculously funny videos like this or this. They don’t get sucked into reading book reviews on amazon.com. They stand up to the lovable monster that is Facebook.
But for the rest of us, there’s Internet-escape in the form of a simple download. No modem fumbling required! And I’m telling you, this has been a productive week. I’ve become the Felix Unger of housework and The Pie of racing through errands. And oh, the writing time! I’ve discovered setting Freedom for 90 minutes is my sweet-spot – just enough time to pound out a scene without the lure of social networking. I’m no Prentiss Ingraham, but if ever evidence existed that less Internet distraction equals more writing productivity, I’m it. (The vague references are flying today. I can’t stop. Call me Amy Sherman-Palladino. There I go again.)
But here’s what I’ve really been wishing for: a mental version of Freedom. Really, while my daytime productivity has peaked this week, the nighttime trying-to-sleep thing hasn’t. Because I’m thinking about little Ollie down in Kansas City Colorado
Sheesh.
I’m guessing, though, I’m not the only one who goes through seasons of Internet-like mental webbing. Problem is, there’s no software to disable our mind-racing. No off-switch. And unless you’re into illegal drugs, no magic pill.
What there is, is this:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10.
Another translation (NASV) changes “be still” to “cease striving.” Both sound pretty darn good to me.
And both feel a little too out of reach when my mental tennis playing reaches Rafael Nadal speed.
And yet, God, through the psalmist, wouldn’t encourage us to do so if it wasn’t possible, right? I don’t think He points us impossible directions. (Though there is that verse in Matthew where Jesus tells us to be perfect as God is perfect. I always hope he meant that more as a goal to reach for than an actual attainable thing. J)
But seriously, I do think it’s possible to “be still,” to “cease striving.” But it’s not flip-of-the-switch thing. It’s something we have to cultivate as we grow in our faith walk, set aside quiet time…and practice. Practice casting our cares, setting our minds, surrendering whatever it is – the to-do lists, the worries, the emotions – that overwhelm and keep us awake, like too many ticking clocks. (This totally calls for a Captain Hook reference, but I’ve got to draw the line somewhere.)
Be still.
Cease striving.
It’s possible. It’s practice-able.
Think I’ll go for it.
