I don't know if the things my mom says are true, but she says that blind people are some of the happiest people in the world. Perhaps, then people who are not on facebook are somewhat more content than people who are. I don't know, but I'd like to try life without facebook. I sometimes get the feeling that I wasn't created to keep up with hundreds of people. Maybe I am just an evolutionary throwback...
Love,
Kate
Showing posts with label thoughts on life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts on life. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Giving up Facebook for Lent
So, for Lent this year I was debating on whether to give up Facebook or coffee. I asked Zach and my brothers for their advice on the matter. They all seemed to think that giving up Facebook for a few weeks would be more of a sacrifice. And they were right. I'm not sweating or getting shaky, but I thought I might be, because sometimes check that site way too many times throughout the day. I don't stay on long, just long enough to see the new updates, but still...I'm annoyed with my little addiction. What do I think I am going to miss?!
I love my friends and if something important happens, I think they will call me or email me, or send a letter in the mail. Imagine that :) I don't need to know what is going on with everyone. I actually don't think I was meant to process all of that. I guess that's why I don't watch the new either.
Facebook is great in ways. It's allowed me to maintain so many far-away connections, to see people's kids get bigger and to keep a pulse on many of the people I have gotten to know over the years. And that has been wonderful. At the same time, though, I am better Facebook friends with some people than I would ever be in "real life." And in real life, I hate to say it, but I think I have lost a beautiful part of some wonderful friendships.
It reminds me of the difference between watching TV and reading a book. Watching TV is wonderfully easy and one can watch so many shows in so little time. But, reading a book is an entirely different experience. It's rich and vivid and leaves a more lasting impression. It takes time and energy.
I do not know how it will play out, but so far since giving up Facebook I feel so much more focused and peaceful, and I feel like a better momma too. I don't think that's the purpose of the Lenten season, but I hope I will be more focused in all of my relationships, including the one I have with my creator.
Love,
Kate
I love my friends and if something important happens, I think they will call me or email me, or send a letter in the mail. Imagine that :) I don't need to know what is going on with everyone. I actually don't think I was meant to process all of that. I guess that's why I don't watch the new either.
Facebook is great in ways. It's allowed me to maintain so many far-away connections, to see people's kids get bigger and to keep a pulse on many of the people I have gotten to know over the years. And that has been wonderful. At the same time, though, I am better Facebook friends with some people than I would ever be in "real life." And in real life, I hate to say it, but I think I have lost a beautiful part of some wonderful friendships.
It reminds me of the difference between watching TV and reading a book. Watching TV is wonderfully easy and one can watch so many shows in so little time. But, reading a book is an entirely different experience. It's rich and vivid and leaves a more lasting impression. It takes time and energy.
I do not know how it will play out, but so far since giving up Facebook I feel so much more focused and peaceful, and I feel like a better momma too. I don't think that's the purpose of the Lenten season, but I hope I will be more focused in all of my relationships, including the one I have with my creator.
Love,
Kate
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Medical School-- Is It Worth It?
Very sad news today. A student in Zach's class committed suicide yesterday, after failing his Anatomy class for the second or third time. I am so sad when I think of him in that desperate moment.
Of course it's too late, but I wish I could reach out to him, to tell him i think he's great and that he gave it his all. During today's blustery afternoon, I was sipping on hot tea during nap-time and thinking about this student and his family. I was listening to Ray LaMontagne and he started singing "why, why did you go, why did you go, away?" and then I started to cry. I don't cry often. Suicides just get to me. I struggled with significant depression when I was 20, 21, and 22, and I remember what it feels like to want it all to end. I am so glad to be on this end of my twenties...I can't even tell you.
And then, of course I started to think about Zach and all of the pressure he is under with finals week. I just wanted to hug him and remind him that I love him just the way he is, and that if he wants to walk away from medical school, I will support him completely. We only get to live once, and I am really missing him. When he worked from 8-5, life was grand. The simple life is grand. It leaves room for God to do big things. Sometimes the easier thing is the right thing. Not often, but once in a while.
I think that during the holiday break, Zach is going to shadow a physician friend and think more seriously about the big picture. Maybe he can play "Should I stay or should I go" as he is driving to and from the hospital. He could walk away from the experience with a renewed sense of vigor, thinking yes, this is definitely what I want to do. Or he could leave the situation with the conclusion that it isn't worth it, and that he would rather do something else and see his kids grow up and spend time with me before I wrinkle up like a raisin. Zach, whatever you decide is fine by me. Let's just decide now, before we go into anymore debt :-)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family that lost their dear son yesterday. I cannot imagine the depth of your sorrow. May God's peace be yours.
Of course it's too late, but I wish I could reach out to him, to tell him i think he's great and that he gave it his all. During today's blustery afternoon, I was sipping on hot tea during nap-time and thinking about this student and his family. I was listening to Ray LaMontagne and he started singing "why, why did you go, why did you go, away?" and then I started to cry. I don't cry often. Suicides just get to me. I struggled with significant depression when I was 20, 21, and 22, and I remember what it feels like to want it all to end. I am so glad to be on this end of my twenties...I can't even tell you.
And then, of course I started to think about Zach and all of the pressure he is under with finals week. I just wanted to hug him and remind him that I love him just the way he is, and that if he wants to walk away from medical school, I will support him completely. We only get to live once, and I am really missing him. When he worked from 8-5, life was grand. The simple life is grand. It leaves room for God to do big things. Sometimes the easier thing is the right thing. Not often, but once in a while.
I think that during the holiday break, Zach is going to shadow a physician friend and think more seriously about the big picture. Maybe he can play "Should I stay or should I go" as he is driving to and from the hospital. He could walk away from the experience with a renewed sense of vigor, thinking yes, this is definitely what I want to do. Or he could leave the situation with the conclusion that it isn't worth it, and that he would rather do something else and see his kids grow up and spend time with me before I wrinkle up like a raisin. Zach, whatever you decide is fine by me. Let's just decide now, before we go into anymore debt :-)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family that lost their dear son yesterday. I cannot imagine the depth of your sorrow. May God's peace be yours.
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