Sensory Overload
This passage is about how Americans (and probably the majority of the world) do too much all at once, and how sometimes it can wreak havoc on their body and mind.
Today, in my “Home Office” (which happens to be my bedroom) I am working on processing a word document on one of my desktop computers. On my laptop, I am listening to my Itunes page… “Michael Jackson’s: Thriller” (GREAT song). I am also watching a television show on Discovery Health about unborn fetuses and how abortion is technically murder of a living organism. Lastly, I am eating lunch at my desk, because I am too busy to simply eat at the dining room table in peace and quiet, and I’m also organizing a few paper files on my dresser to which I have to give my boss this afternoon…
Does this sound like a typical day in your household? All of a sudden the phone rings, the fax machine dies, the computer crashes… and your mind goes haywire trying to deal with everything all at once.
It is my opinion that everyone needs to stop trying to multitask in this serious way… it is creating stress and anxiety. It’s time to quiet the mind folks!
I dare you… even if simply for two WEEKS (which may seem like a long time without your precious possesions), to go WITHOUT your computer(s) – if there are more than one – and without your television, and your cell phone, and your Ipod, etc.
People wonder why Americans are so totally unfocused on their actions, and sometimes incredibly stressed out and anxious and … devoid of natural feelings. It’s because it’s all they can do to stay sane!… If you actually had to FOCUS on each and every task, you would undoubtedly go crazy after a time. Is there any reason for anyone to be utilizing twelve different pieces of machinery at a time (on our days off too, no less)? It’s a wonder any of us get any work done at all. But, this is how our civilization is living and working day in and day out.
I challenge you, as an individual, to take your t.v., your cell phone, your home phone, your computer (desktop), your laptop, your Iphone, and whatever else takes up all of your time… including dvd’s, etc. And put them ALL into a large tote, or box, labeled NOISE!… and stuff it into your closet for two WHOLE weeks. You may be saying to yourself, “Pssh… I can do this. NO problem!” Just wait though; three days from now when you’re sitting on your bed and reading your fifth Stephen King book, you’re going to be SO on edge, looking for other things to keep you occupied. I think this may have something to do with almost a “technological withdrawel affect”… obviously not a real “condition” by any standards, but in my opinion… something that can make someone just as stressed as coming off of caffeine or cigarrettes.
However, by day five or six… or ten, or whatever the day may be… there will come a time when you will suddenly realize, you are in perfect bliss. All the time in the world to do whatever you please for a few more days. You will destress, maybe even deTOX!, and you will relax, and listen to the radio (unless you tossed that too, which may not have been a terrible idea either), and reading a[nother] good book. You’ll also realize that you can sleep much better than you can ever remember sleeping before because your mind is quieted down a few THOUSAND notches.
Then it’s “off to work we go” a few days later still. Back to the hustle and bustle… and what have we learned.
Every once in a while, it’s good to slow down. Take a breather, and relax. Life is going to pass this nation by if we continue living the lives that we are!
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