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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Remember Who You Are

And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ — Mark 1:11 (NRSV)

I’ve Been Thinking …

… about the joy of Quiet. I suggest early in any new year, we all find ways to be alone, and quiet each day. For health, for effectiveness, for happiness.
Back in 2007, Intel (who make computer chips) learned that the average office worker enjoys no more than three minutes at a time at his or her desk without interruption. So they conferred four uninterrupted hours of quiet time every Tuesday morning on 300 engineers and managers. During this period the workers were not allowed to use the phone or send e-mail, but simply had the chance to clear their heads and to hear themselves think.
The average person spends at least eight hours a day in front of a screen (computer, or TV). That number doubled in 5 years. Now people are looking for ways to reduce their use of some of the great communication and labour-saving devices we’ve just been given.
Four months ago a group of Oxford lawyers and scholars discussed activities (sailing, riding, bridge, etc) that would allow them to get out of electronic contact for a few hours. The new development in travel vacations are ‘black-hole resorts’ which charge high prices precisely because you can’t get online, or cell phone service. Internet rescue camps in South Korea and China try to save kids addicted to the screen.
The urgency of slowing down – to find the time and space to think – is nothing new. A half century ago, Marshall McLuhan warned, “When things come at you very fast, naturally you lose touch with yourself.” The Psalmist wrote holy advice, “Be Still; and Know that I am God.” The Gospels report, “Early in the morning, a great while before day, Jesus arose, and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.”
We need to do that. For many reasons. “A series of tests in recent years has shown that after spending time in quiet natural settings, subjects exhibit greater attentiveness, stronger memory and generally improved cognition. Their brains become both calmer and sharper.” (NY Times, Jan. 1, 2012). More than that, empathy, as well as deep thought, depends on neural processes that are inherently slow.
So early this year, as often as possible, be like Jesus. Slow down. Unplug. Allow your mind and spirit the joy of quiet.
With love … ORVILLE

Link to Website James Bretzler recommended in sermon Sunday, January 1, 2012 Available here

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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Remember Who You Are

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