Reclaimation

2012:  The year that I begin to truly breath as my previous commitments become fulfilled.
Mental theophany.

Number of changes have occurred since my revelation.
My hair is flowing. Samson.
Yoga has become the dessert of my body.
Flirting at every opportunity. 10,000 hours ala Gladwell.
T levels off the charts.

However, the greatest vicissitude has been my deactivation of Facebook.
I have been two weeks sober.

Hat tip to my younger brother for the intervention.

The first few days were hard as I fiended for the information overload. Many times I found myself unconsciously typing in the URL and was tempted to restart the habit. It took every fiber of my willpower to turn my computer off and find more productive outlets.

I started training harder. I read more. I have expanded my culinary skills.

It is two weeks and I have no interest in what is going on in the lives of all those “friends” I had. Those that are important  are in my phone’s contact list. Members of my Valhalla.

I have begun to focus on myself and working towards establishing face to face interactions.
I call my friends more. We speak as humans and not as automatons posting half thoughts on each others walls.

I feel as if a part of my humanity has been restored.

It is difficult to explain to those that have not unplugged from social media, but life becomes more vibrant. Colors matter. Sunlight is sought. There is a longing to explore.

A week ago I was returning from class. The time was 11 p.m. I reached the doorstep and a slight breeze caressed my arms. It was a warm night and the moon was lighting the dark corners that lacked a streetlight. I turned back and went on a walk.

I found myself near the National Cathedral and sat around staring at the masonry. My mind whirling with hypotheticals. At one moment there was a sudden clarity.

I quickly pulled out my notebook and sketched five chapters of a novel that has been plaguing me for two years.

Without the information overload of what trips people are taking or what new offense they have experienced,  I am able to assimilate information at a greater rate with prodigious insight.

I have found that my ability to relate knowledge to other aspects of my life has grown. I see connections with clarity and everything has become easier. Limitless.

However, the most marvelous development:  Stress no longer vexes.
I flow through life with a level of zen that has eluded me in the past.

Solitude is a vital component in the pursuit of conquering the world.
Outlets such as Facebook take away that solitude while giving the illusion that one still still has its luxury.

With outlets such as Facebook, boredom no longer allows for your mind to wonder towards daydreams. Nay, you wander towards your latest feed.

I will not go back to Facebook or its kin; they are mental and emotional poisons. They falsely fulfill the human urge “to matter” without requiring any life sacrifices from you.
It is the opiate of the mediocre.
It is the spell that replaces a vibrant wide-eyed human with a desire to discover with a despicable golem.

Johnny Five is more alive than the masses on Facebook.
I could have been amongst them. Thankfully I was unplugged.