August 10, 2014
Do you ever try to do it all? ” Try” is the keyword, it implies failure, or that the goal is unattainable. Well, I confess, “I try, and try harder,” meaning I go faster, and still I frustrate myself with what’s left undone. Going faster creates the illusion that I have more time, but I know that’s not true. Instead I may do more of those chores on my list, but the question is: How well did I do them? “Quick and Dirty” is a term I learned from my days in the printing industry, or in other words, “sloppy.” Wise Ben Franklin used to say: “Haste makes waste!”
So here we are literally in the Human Race, rushing down the road to what end? I once heard life described as “a bullet train to death.” Yikes! Stop the world I want to get off.
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Then, I discovered Arianna Huffington’s THRIVE- The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating A Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder. Arianna’s new book gives us a blueprint for reclaiming our humanity by distancing ourselves from the rat race. The Third Metric involves getting more sleep, slowing down, examining priorities, walking, having time without the gadgets, meditating, and focusing inward. I read THRIVE once and now plan a second read to take notes.
This is the book I’ve been waiting for. Inspired by Arianna’s own wake up call, she urges us to stop and take stock of the unconscious pull of the digital culture on our own very human lives. Arianna literally collapsed on her desk while working 18 hour days, seven days a week! She hit her head and broke her cheekbone…ending up on the floor in a pool of blood. Through this “wake up call” she re-examined and redesigned the way she lives and works.
THRIVE doesn’t make a statement without extensive supportive research, and rich testimonials. THRIVE arrives not a moment too soon to catch us from wandering off the cliff or pier with cellphone in hand! THRIVE gives us healthy reasons to pause in the digital sumani our culture is sweeping us up in.
Yes, of course, there are huge benefits behind the genius of the computer age. However, the lack of moderation is creating very real human imbalances both psychologically and physically. Digital detox sounds like a smart way back to a healthier life. Intentionally taking a short break from the gadgets for a day, a weekend, a vacation, a meal without your cellphone…it’s a good beginning. Without that constant demand, you will have more time to slow down and actually engage face-to-face with family and friends, or read a book…or even write a letter.