Media Monday - Week 1

It's been awhile since Women Living Well has hosted a weekly challenge.  Courtney is very good at posting thoughtful discussions and I have enjoyed participating in the past.  The current challenge, which begins today, has to do with the Media around us. She wrote a really great post - so click the link and read her thoughts as well!

Before I can even begin to think about how media impacts my life, I needed to list the media items that I allow in: Computer - Facebook, blogging, general searching; Phone - just basically talking to my husband but my phone does have texting; TV/Music - the "oldies but goodies".  I don't own a iPad, iPod, or iPhone nor do I do anything with Twitter.  Courtney has challenged herself with tracking her time using the basic media items (facebook, twitter, writing blogs ect).  I don't feel the need to do that - most of the time I spend on the computer is done after my family goes to bed.  My husband's hours puts him to bed at about 7:30 - the same time as the kids so I have several hours before I head to bed.  Throughout the day, yes, my computer is on, but I don't spend tons of time on it - rather for a quick check more than anything.

So where do my challenges lie?  For quite awhile I've had the burden in my heart to make sure my kids don't grow up thinking that their mom is attached to the computer. 

It is easy to make the computer the central focus not just because of fun things, like facebook and You Tube, but because everything that encompasses our daily lives is stored on there.  From pictures to schedules, to plans for fun family ideas and more.  Who uses paper anymore?  In my stocking for Christmas, my husband got me a 3 subject notebook, pens, and high lighters.  No, he wasn't trying to give me a hint, but he knows that I've always loved those little supplies.  At first, I just stuck them in a drawer but as I started to realize that most of my free time was spent sitting at my desk in front of the little screen . .. I pulled that paper out and use it more.  When I need to brainstorm, or make a to do list, or even work on the beginnings of lesson plans - I use paper.  I can always type up the master list later.  I also created templates for things like menu planning, grocery lists, and other often used lists, printed them off, and fill them in with pen.  Basically, I cut the cord between myself and the computer.  Of course I still spend time on it each day - but I have tried to limit it more and also be willing to walk away.  I play more with my kids and we go outside on the really nice days.  

The other challenge to me was one that Courtney touched and that is the computer verses my quiet time.  Yes, I've slacked off this summer but that is sheer laziness on my part (called not wanting to get out of bed) but, when I was being disciplined this past year, getting up 30 minutes earlier to ensure I had time to get through my devotions, I pulled away from using the computer during that time.  This past year, as I was doing a study in James, I found that half way through my quiet time I was on the computer searching for an explanation of a verse; which made me think, "Oh, I should just do my devotions on the computer!" . .. .that idea quickly was replaced with a "no way"!  This is my time - I don't want to give it up to the screen.  So instead, I pulled out my husbands J. Vernon McGee commentaries and kept the one with James in it with my Bible Study books.  When I needed some help understanding a passage, I would just use that old-fashioned book instead.  I get so much more out of my quiet time as I sit in the semi-dark living room, without a computer screen glaring at me, or the TV on or even music for that matter.  It is so easy to find a way to use the computer for everything - when really we need to turn off everything so we can focus on what is truly important.

As far as Facebook - I know that many people struggle with it - they get into the middle of discussions, get stabbed in the back, get wrapped up in all of the hype and even feel the need to take breaks from it.  Personally, I enjoy facebook.  I find it fun to read status' of friends and family; I find it entertaining to look at their pictures or read the fun notes the put up.  I have not had a problem with anyone on facebook and periodically remove people from my friend list who I have had no contact with or who are posting things I would rather not see.  I don't accept every friend request that comes my way and I try not to get in the middle of any discussion that I know will blow up.  I don't plan on giving up Facebook - and, despite the fact that my brother thinks I'm always on it - I'm really not :-)  I do enjoy a page that links me with other Flylady followers and often use that page as an accountability to get things done throughout the day but otherwise, I'm not on there very much. 

Those are my simple thoughts today on this topic - anything to add?  Feel free to leave a comment.