Get Offline and Into Life

People, places, things. It's time to get down to your nouns. Get offline. Even stop reading this, and get into real life. See people, go places, do things. Life online is not real connection. Real life is not online. 

Yes, our devices have become second nature to our every move and seemingly an extension of our brains and fingers. But they are simply tools. We have become comfortably numb. Devices channel the internet, which can circulate data and serve as an information highway. It is not a place to live, nor should it serve as your main source of connection. Wonders can abound there, but like light on a screen we always understood the movies were not real life. The internet can connect, but it does not replace people, relationships, community, introspection, connection, self-reflection, flow, or meditation. Get into real life. 

Here are some suggestions for getting offline and into life. OM Shanti

• Invite people to your home for a meal
• Cook with friends or family
• Go to a local yoga class or program
• Join a local event or organization
• Have a personal yoga, sitting, or meditation practice
• Get good sleep
• Grow a plant or a garden
• Nurture a pet or a person or both
• Go for a walk at least once or twice a week, but ideally, daily
• Spend time in nature 
• Turn your notifications off on your devices
• Turn the sound tones off on your text messages (you look at your phone constantly, so you are unlikely to miss important connections, and this move will make you even more aware of your impulses and addictive behaviors)
• Take a device-free weekend
• Read a real book, paper, or magazine
• Call rather than text
• Breathe, always, breathe