What I found is that having a passcode on my electronic devices helps me. It takes me just a few seconds to enter a code, but during that few seconds I can ask myself why I am getting online.
For a while, the passcode on the iPad was "think." As I typed, I was reminded to think about what I'm doing. Maybe I should change it to "choices" so that I can think about what sort of choices I am making in terms of how I spend my time.Perhaps I could change the password to a Bible verse that would remind me of my priorities. Perhaps Colossians 3:23 fits -- "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men." I've also thought about Philippians 4:8 -- "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable -- if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise -- dwell on these things." (Don't worry. I won't type all of that out to make a password. I think that just an abbreviated scripture reference will suffice.)
Last week I turned my computer off. This week, I'm using passcodes on my portable devices. Breaking my habit of spending too much time online is taking all the tricks I can come up with.
My family is worth it!
©2009-2013 Through the Calm and Through the Storm. All rights reserved. Photos and content may not be reproduced. http://throughthecalmandthroughthestorm.blogspot.com
I have my screensaver set to click in after one minute, and the graphic is the words "Love is patient", swirling around. I don't know HOW many times I've dragged my eyes obediently away from the computer to listen to a child, tried to surreptitiously glance at the computer screen in my impatience, and seen that, at which point it's a lot easier to turn my full attention back on the child. I only meant to have that as my screensaver until I got into the habit of cheerfully attending to interruptions, but it's been three years now, and I still NEED it...
ReplyDeleteI love the screensaver idea. I'm not always able to keep the computer turned off, and I need some sort of visible reminder on it. I get sucked into doing stuff (or wasting time) online so easily.
Delete