Happy Luau

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Lessons From Brazil: Lesson #3: Technofast

As many of you know, I got back recently from a whirlwind trip to Salvador, Brazil for the wedding of my beloved nephew and his wonderful wife. I was only there for a short time but it was life-changing. So I decided to start a short blog series called "Lessons from Brazil" to share about this trip, to help me to process it, and to inspire you.

When I traveled to Brazil a couple of weeks ago, I went on a fast from technology (a "technofast") for almost a week. This means no Internet, no texting, no Facebook or Twitter, no Kindle, no iPod, no television, no radio, no camera, and no phone. It was quite difficult in many ways. Mostly that I missed everyone. But I also experienced many "fasting" benefits.

The best part of being disconnected from the techno world was that I wrote like a banshee for up to 6 hours a day in my Moleskine in pencil. I wrote on the planes, I wrote in my hotel in Miami, I wrote on my balcony in the posada in Brazil. I wrote every second I could get. I processed everything that happened. I thought a lot. I could really be present with people, just be there without being interrupted by anything. I really experienced the sights, sounds, and smells of Brazil. I was really calm and peaceful much of the time. It was delightful.

I think we all need time to be unplugged, even just to enjoy being plugged in! Consider taking a technofast. For some people it may be just a day, or even just a few hours. Let me know what you experience. I'm betting that your time back online will be even richer for it.

6 comments:

Kim Mailhot said...

Hi Olivia !
I love this lesson. I just did that very thing for two and a half hours this morning. I needed to paint. I mean, needed. So without the usual time I would have spent on blog visiting or creating a complicated blog post myself, I had the unplugged time to create.
The end results...I feel like an artist again and I have created a piece that makes me sit back and say "Wow...".
Brilliant !
Happy Tuesday and big hugs !

Olivia said...

I'm so glad you did, My Queen. You know, your blog posts are very, very time intensive. I'm glad that with the time you DID spend on the computer you chose to leave a comment here, as I always appreciate your Big Love.

I took time this morning also to write--90 minutes--and it made such a difference in my day. I'd had insomnia last night and just sitting and writing it out relieved my mind of what was churning around in there.

I'm glad you painted, and I really, really am painting tomorrow. :)

Love to you, Kim,

O

patti said...

I do this often since we only have one family computer to share between the three of us. If I can avoid putting the radio on, it is peaceful and there is time for more rewarding things to be done.(like art!)

I'm a little lost now though, since I've packed up my studio. So my nose is always in my journal.

Olivia said...

I hope your move continues to go well, Patti. I"m glad your creating beautiful art in your journal. It's great to see you here. xoO

Jane said...

Olivia,
So glad your time in Brazil was transforming. I can't wait to read more!

Olivia said...

Thanks, Jane! I'll keep 'em coming. I've been working on publishing more frequently and plan to keep it up.

Peace, love, and all good things, O