Media Fast

Sunday through Tues of this week I did a media fast, which means no computer, no cell phone, no TV, no music, etc. I  had to do the fast as part of my Comms 101 class. I learned some valuable lessons about the advantages and disadvantages of going without.

Advantages

• I got more sleep. I couldn't waste time on Facebook, so I got to bed at a decent hour.
• No one could call and ask me to cover their shift for work.
• I spent more time reading the scriptures and writing in my journal.
• I spent more time face-to-face with actual people.

Disadvantages

• I couldn't confirm appointments and meetings. My home teaching appointment cancelled on me and I showed up anyway.
• I had to study for my tests without Power Point slides.
• I did not receive emails from my professors or my boss.
• I never had any idea what fun activities were going on.

So what?

I learned that my phone and email are very important in my life, not just for social purposes but for work and school. Facebook, on the other hand, is not essential.

Now what?

I had the most spiritual Sunday I've had in a long time. I should spend less time surfing the web and browsing through Facebook on Sunday and more time writing in my journal and reading scriptures. Also, if someone is nearby and I want to talk to them, I will go and knock on their door instead of texting back and forth. Personal contact is so much better.

Follow Through

I feel pretty foolish right now. My last blog was all about using snooze or resetting your alarm so you don't fall back to sleep.

Well, obviously I didn't pay that much attention to the "now what" because I fell asleep again. This time I didn't wake up until 6:47. My alarm sounded at 6:00 a.m., and as I switched it off I had the distinct impression I needed to reset it. But I ignored the feeling. I thought, "I'm not going to sit here in bed long." I promptly rolled over onto my knees to say my morning prayers. The next thing I knew, the clock had miraculously jumped ahead 47 minutes.

So what?

I was late to class again. Plus, I felt like the biggest idiot in the world. I realized the reason we do these blogs is to actually apply what we learn.

Now what?

From now on I will actually do what I post under the "now what" section of my blog. I will strive to capture the spirit of this assignment and learn from my experiences. I will also listen more closely to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Use the Snooze

My alarm went off at 6 a.m. As is habit, I quickly turned off the alarm. I'm not much of a snooze guy. But then I was hit by a wall of tiredness, and I thought to myself, "I'm just going to lie here for a minute."

That minute turned into 20. I don't know what happened. Suddenly, making it to my 7 a.m. Spanish class on time wasn't a reality, especially because I had to ride my bike.

So what?

I was late to class, missing important announcements at the beginning. Compositions were due that day and the professor had asked at the beginning of class that we underline all of the verbs. Had I not asked my friend what I missed, I would have turned in my assignment and gotten a bad grade.

Now what?

I definitely think that not making a habit of using the snooze is a good idea. But if I decide to lie in bed a while longer, I need to hit snooze or reset my alarm. Lying down without anything to wake you up--should an accidental nap occur--is a bad idea.

If you Snooze, you Lose

I waited to write this blog because I was excited to post about something I learned from General Conference. I ended up learning an entirely different type of lesson than I intended.

I chose to watch Conference in my pajamas, lying on the couch. That comfortable position turned out to be a very poor choice indeed. I woke up in the middle of Dallin H. Oaks' talk. I was extremely disappointed. He is my favorite speaker, and he seemed to be addressing current issues, such as divorce and gay marriage, that I was interested in.

So what?

If you snooze, you lose. I missed out on counsel from the Lord. I missed out on important messages given to us by church leaders.

Now what?

The lesson I learned shouldn't only be applied to church but also to work and school. I've fallen asleep in small classrooms before and I'm sure the instructors noticed. Falling asleep sends a message that the material being presented, or even the person presenting the material, is not important to you. So in the future I will sit up attentively in meetings and lectures and take notes. I can't afford to miss out on the important information, nor can I afford to look unprofessional and disrespectful in front of my peers, my leaders, my bosses, or my professors.