Early Friday morning Lauren and I drove to Vancouver for a special meeting of the churches in our region. Late Saturday night we returned home. It was a whirlwind trip.
Some perspective on the trip:
- It was a ten-hour journey each way (3 hours of that was on a ferry and waiting for the ferry).
- We drove over 1000 kilometers.
- We were gone for less than 40 hours.
- The meeting lasted only 4 hours.
Why we did this:
1. It was an important meeting on the future direction of the churches in our region. I wanted to be part of the decision.
2. It was an opportunity for Lauren and I to get away without the kids. This is a priority for us. We got to spend 20 hours of uninterrupted time together while we were traveling. It was awesome! We were able to talk about things that needed to be discussed. It was a great time of connection for us.
A forced time of unplugging
Another great benefit that I received from this trip was a forced time of being unplugged from the computer . I have to admit that unplugging from the computer for any length of time is very difficult for me. It is readily available to me on a day-to-day basis but it wasn’t on this trip and it was good for me.
It was so good for me that I decided to continue my time of being unplugged until this morning. I know that this is no great feat but it was helpful for me.
I need to unplug more often
This time of unplugging has made me realize that I need to unplug from the computer more often. I have to build this discipline into my life. I know that this is not going to be easy for me but it is important that I do it.
My plan is to set aside Sunday’s to be unplugged. On Sunday’s I won’t check my e-mail. I won’t reply to blog comments. I won’t read blogs. I will completely unplug myself from the computer!
Do you find it hard to unplug yourself from the computer?
Sounds like a great trip. When I was in direct sales I managed four islands here in Hawaii and my big treat for myself was to take the boat over to Lanai rather than fly. The trip was relaxing in itself, but the view of the surrounging islands out there on the ocean, not to mention the dolphins, flying fish and whales we’d see along the way – that trip was the perfect way to unplug. Hum, as a matter of fact, I think I’m overdue for a ride!
marquita herald recently posted…Labels Belong on Jars, Not on People
Go for it Marty!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…A dose of inspiration
Excellent article. Sometimes I really find it hard to unplug myself from computer.
But few weeks back I realized the importance of finding balance. Too often I would allow work to take over the majority of my time and family, relationships, and life all suffered because of that. Sneaking in that extra hour of work turned into an afternoon, a day, a weekend… Eventually burnout set in and I found it was taking twice as long to be productive; my creative juices were well drained. Budgeting time for breaks that includes of course, unplugging yourself from computer and keeping in mind what life, for me, is all about really made a difference.
Jeffrey Sooey recently posted…Client Retention Strategies For Coaches
Unplugging is definitely critical to our overall health and well-being. It is too easy to continue to add more and more to our lives. We need to schedule time for breaks and unplugging.
Thanks for sharing Jeffrey!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Give thanks
Hey Kevin! good for you getting unplugged, I have been overwhelmed recently and need a breather so I spent time this weekend doing the one thing that I naturally thought I didn’t have time for… recharging and taking time to listen to Him. Keep Being Great my brother
It is amazing what happens when we choose to stop, breathe and listen!
Thanks for sharing Chris!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Encouragement changes people
I really only do it when forced. We are going to be unplugged for a week soon when we take an RV across the south New Zealand island. When it happens, it’s kind of nice.
Don Faust recently posted…Fascinating Finland: The Cult of the Sauna
It is definitely tough. It is going to take a lot of discipline for me to unplug one day a week but I know it will be worth it.
Thanks for sharing Don!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Compassion counteracts apathy
Hey Kevin,
Great posting and it sounds like you had some good quality time.
You know, unplugging is a great thing to do. Most recently, I’ve been over run and it’s easy to do that when you are always “go go go”.
Great job in realizing that you need to do that from time to time.
Keep up the great work and talk soon!
-Dereck
Dereck recently posted…ARIIX Review – Unleashing The Human Potential For Good
Hi Dereck:
I haven’t always been good at recognizing when I need to unplug and take a break but after a forced medical leave 4 years ago I am slowly learning. It is so important to schedule life around breaks rather than breaks around life.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin
Kevin Martineau recently posted…God isn’t finished with us yet
Well good for you, because you will have time for your family. Isn’t great??
It was definitely great!
Thanks for sharing Sabina!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Giving up self-sufficiency