Since all the folks who might be prone to tease me about this have already had their hearty laugh at my expense, I think I'll go ahead and share with my whole blog readership why I have been missing from the Web for lo, these many days. It was a member of the clergy who made you all suffer the sucking vacuum of my absence. I was grounded from the Internet, from Tuesday until today, by a priest who looked very kindly but proved to be remorseless. Just because I'd confessed to wasting time web-surfing! All right, the web-surfing had caused me to neglect other things. All right, I had also resolved to cut down on the Internet during Lent. But still! "For a penance, let me try to help you keep that resolution," Father told me with pleasant demeanor, and then hit me with: "No internet at all until Sunday." I begged for the use of email, at least, since that's how I make plans with friends, and he allowed it-- for fifteen minutes a day, no more. "That should be plenty of time to make your plans." "Wow," I squeaked, rapidly trying to think of all the things I wouldn't be able to do, "that's hardcore." He didn't budge, but absolved me and sent me on my way with a cheerful, "I know you can do it!"
It was a curious thing: I walked out to my car feeling unusually peaceful. "Thank goodness I won't waste any time on the stupid web today," I was thinking. Till then I hadn't been aware of how much the unsuccessful struggle was wearing on me. Now my weak will was braced with an iron penance, and I felt relieved. I later remembered that right before confession I had actually been praying hard to God for help in that area, so thanks be to Him and be careful what you pray for!
I went on to have a lovely week: got all kinds of chores done, including a few things I'd been putting off for months, and talked more with people and felt more recollected. Also wasted too much time watching TV, as my internet habit sought a substitute-- but at least my screen time was reduced. And except for my friends' blogs I didn't miss the net at all. That probably just goes to show something, but I'm trying not to learn what. :)
8 comments:
That explains everything! I had a feeling, but oh well it doesn't matter now. You're BACK! I guess it really does prove how our society has evolved into the NET!
YIKES!
Does that mean we're cyber junkies?
AKA---> Cyber dependent???
Lord help us all!
Happy that you enjoyed your mandated vacation from the internet, I missed you, so don't worry.
What a wonderful priest! Although I admit I'm not sure I could do it. Plus, a good part of my job requires me to be on the computer and Internet.
I gave up criticizing Pres. Obama and liberals for Lent. I kinda think giving up the Internet would be easier.
Meg, my name is Rachel and I'm a webaholic.
Joe, thank you, and that was a quite a Mass we both found ourselves at yesterday! I thought it was good, considering. I'm glad Fr. Robert was willing and able to step in.
Mary Rose, he also made an exception for work. I think it would be a lot easier to slip up on your resolution than on his penance-- who can watch his tongue 24/7?
So *that's* where you've been! Good to have you back. :)
I can quit anytime, it doesn't own me I own it...really its true I can walk away....I could quit tomorrow...
well maybe next week...
By the way, which priest was it????
I wouldn't want to burden him with my non addictions.
HA! I'll never reveal the gimpy priest's identity! You and all my friends will just have to take your chances.
I seem to be getting this same message from all over:
http://catholicexchange.com/2009/03/13/116678/
Of course, I only found out about my on line problem on line. Kind of like seeing an AA brochure in a tavern.
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