Lent and Facebook: An Update

Well, I'm nearly two weeks in on my fast from Facebook. And, I'm barely missing it.

I will admit: the first few days were really tough....more because I was so used to filling up the space between events, meetings, conversations or before bed with some useless and brainless Facebook surfing than because I actually missed the information, status updates and pictures from my friends. I've been able to keep connected in other ways with the people closest to me and am really enjoying the space in my life (mind, heart, spirit, psyche) as a result of being disconnected from the constant flurry of (sometimes useless) Facebook information. I have missed some birthdays (that I've classicly relied of Facebook to keep me aware of) and some important life announcements from friends...but really, I just end up being a few hours or days behind. Eventually, I hear about everything....

I've also stopped listening to the radio in my car. The only sounds coming from my car speakers are (occassionally) worship music streamed in through my iPod. Otherwise, every car trip is full of blissful silence. (I was driving in someone else's car the other day and she had the radio on - and it was a shock to my senses! I had forgotten that most people listen to the radio in the car!) :)

I find myself praying more, conversing with God more. I'm more aware of His presence in my everyday life and feel much more connected to Him than I have in a while. I think it's an awareness of His constant presence that's been so life-giving.

I feel more still internally - even if life is pretty intense and crazy. (Perhaps that's part of the reason that this fast is so valuable for me right now. I'm not sure I'd be coping very well with some of the craziness going on if I didn't have this forged place of stillness and connectedness. More on what's going on later.)

And, this is all from 13 days of being free of Facebook. I wonder where I'll be and how I'll feel come April 24.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to getting back on Facebook or that there haven't been some moments that I really have almost decided to just get on "this one time." But, except for a few brief moments on one Sunday, I haven't been on and it's wonderful. I'm hoping that even after this fast is over, my patterns will have so drastically changed that I will be able to keep this still place in my heart, mind and spirit and won't go to Facebook to fill in the space, numb myself or escape from life.