If you read my message last week – you already know where we’re
going with this 4-part series, based on the book, Practice the Pause,
by Caroline Oakes. I want to thank Michelle for stepping in and doing
last week’s Sunday lesson, giving me time to heal.
As always happens when I focus on a topic (like: how to spiritually
thrive even in the face of worldly challenges)… resources continue to
flow into my realm of consciousness.
For example, MSNBC political commentator, Chris Hayes, recently
wrote an opinion guest essay for the New York Times, entitled, “I
Want Your Attention. I Need Your Attention. Here Is How I Mastered
My Own.”
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In his opening, Hayes compares his own obsession with reading the
internet and then posting his takes on various social media platforms,
telling himself that it is necessary for his job – as “a little like a tobacco
executive with a two-pack-a-day habit.”
And upon reflection as to why he is like this, Hayes concludes: “From
my perspective as both an attention merchant and a compulsive
customer, it’s clear that the difficulty of sitting in one’s “own chamber”
– as the philosopher Blaise Pascal described the freedom to sit
undisturbed with one’s thoughts – is greatly exacerbated by the form
of attention capitalism we are enmeshed in.”
He considers the role of boredom – or rather the avoidance of it – as
perhaps “the silent engine of modern life.” And wonders if, at some
level, Americans made the choice they did in November, simply
because “they were just kind of bored with the status quo?”
In short, the question that arises is, how often do we engage in empty
or even detrimental behavior simply to avoid “the difficult work of
figuring out how to live with our own minds”?
It is not just a current issue or challenge, Hayes points out. Pascal
was writing in the 17 th century when he observed: “I have discovered
that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they
cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.”
You can use the link above to read the entire article. What caught my
attention, and why I’m sharing this article, was the realization that
what Hayes is describing is the challenge we all face as we strive for
the kingdom of heaven…overriding our egoic addiction to constant
stimulus.
So, in response to this realization, and after reading Mark
Zuckerberg’s (META’s) decision to forgo fact-checking on FaceBook,
“in the interest of free expression” – I decided to delete my FB app
from my phone – after posting why I had made this decision (namely,
to express my disapproval of his sell out to MAGA disinformation).
But I also did it to limit distracting temptations...And after observing
my response to this decision for the remainder of the day, I am happy
to report that I’m still glad I did it. (Full disclosure – I have not closed
my account – so I can still access FB on my computer. But that is not
as available or addicting, and I am still considering that decision. I will
keep you posted (but not on FB!)
And, I am eternally grateful to be sharing this amazing journey with all
of you! May 2025 be enlightening, transformative, meaningful, and
JOY-FILLED!
Blessings,
Rev. Vicky
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