The computer is a terrible addiction for me, it really is. I check my email 5o million times a day, I lurk and play on Facebook, I lurk and play on Twitter, I have at least 20 blogs that I subscribe to via RSS feed and try to keep up with–not to mention keeping up with this blog, which is in week 31 of 5-day-a-week posts.
In short, I spend an embarrassing amount of time online.
Don’t get me wrong, I really like the web and I sincerely believe, and know for a fact, that the ideas I encounter here enrich my life and stimulate my brain. I also follow really interesting people on Twitter who inspire me to be creative and disciplined in my life, and it makes me happy to keep up with my friends on Facebook.
BUT.
I spend too much goddamn time here!!
In the past I’ve tried to limit my computer time by locking myself in small time cages and counting every computer calorie. But, as we all know, DIETS DON’T WORK. And I always found myself back online, poking around indiscriminately, wasting time, and then bemoaning the fact that certain other things didn’t get done.
What other things? Well, reading, for one.
Books used to be such a huge part of my daily life and now, even though I still buy them and download them onto my Kindle, I don’t read them. I just stack them. I recently read online about someone who made it her goal to read a book a week for a year. This idea lit me up, and also provided a natural antidote to my computer addiction. What if I made it my goal to read a book a week also? In order to do that I would have to severely limit my computer time.
So that’s what I’ve decided to do: a book a week for the rest of the year. Last week’s book was Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra (recomended to me by Archan, one of my readers). I finished it this past weekend and it was terrific and has totally changed the way I think about aging.
This week it’s Seth Godin’s latest, Linchpin.
I love it that I am reading more and am online less. I feel smarter and happier already. Replacing one addiction with another really seems to work for me. Diets definitely do not.
Inspiration Location 
Kathleen:
Wow: I thought I was alone, but reading your post made me feel like we are kindred spirits and sailing in the same boat. Thanks so much for this post. I really needed to read this, that’s for sure.
I feel like I am turning into a moron due to my computer addiction. What’s wrong with us?
When I was a child, I remember spending countless hours in the bowels of a library.
Those were the days, my friend, just like the song. Whatever happened to our reading habit? And to the saying: books are your best friends?
Sometimes, I feel our lives are tragic owing to technology. On the other hand, where would my life be without reading your blog?
Oh well, guess you can’t have it all. But reading one book every week is a worthy goal, no doubt. Keep it up. We feel like supporting you.
I also need to be as full of wisdom and disciplined like you. I also need to read more books, especially the classics.
The book I am reading currently?
“Yoga, youth and reincarnation” by Jess Stearn. Interesting work too: “The amazing key to physical, sexual and spiritual harmony–a modern, step-by-step approach to the ancient art of yoga, completely illustrated with photographs and diagrams.”
I am reading this book only because I chanced upon your blog. Your life inspired me to make a change, so I have this book in my life. Thanks to you. And I am glad you enjoyed reading the book by Deepak Chopra: happy journey to you, always.
And feel free to experiment, take calculated risks, and then write about those experiences. Your journey also inspires us to make changes and become better human beings. Cheers to you!
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Great Post! You should do book reviews or share what you got out of it.. (kinda like a short essay philosophernotes)… Deepak has so many books that I never know where to start.
Also, thanks for the bday love!
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