Everytime I fly, I get free internet access in my room being a cabin manager. Thus, this helps me survive locked in a hotel room during long layovers, especially in the winter. I would order room service, turn on the TV, wouldn’t even care if it’s not English, and be online the whole time. On one of my flights to Manchester, for some reason, there was a hiccup in the hotel’s internet system and so it was inaccessible. I was debating if I should pay 15 UK pounds, which I knew was a lot, just for a 24- hour access or try to sustain my 36-hour layover offline.
I’m sure all of my fellow OFW’s would agree that the internet is our lifeline. I feel suffocated just thinking of not having an access to Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Messenger or Skype. Although SMS is just a click away, I don’t know why having an internet gives me a different sense of security, knowing that anytime, my family and friends can track me or just buzz. So during my stay in Manchester, no internet for me, was a real big challenge. When my jetlag kicked in, I know, this would make it easier for me to cope. But I’m also aware that I have to force myself to get out of bed after a few hours, so that I can still manage to set my body clock for my flight back home. Mind you, my sleeping record is 17 straight hours. Still I fear that when I wake up, the dilemma of not having internet looms at the back of my mind. I was trying to control myself from having an anxiety attack. I was battling to divert my thoughts to avoid feeling lonely and isolated. It may not be a big deal for others, but for those who have experienced living alone in unknown territory, away from all your loved ones and outside your comfort zone, they know what I’m talking about.
After deciding to detoxify myself from the internet, the challenge had begun… I sat infront of my laptop, organized my files and updated my journals. I brought out my painting materials and just lay them around to make it appear that I have so much to do. I opened some files, which I had saved and forgotten. I brought out a book which I had stopped reading half way. When I saw all these in front of me, I realized that there was so much to do than browsing through Facebook, while feeding my dog in Pet Society, harvesting my crops at Farmville, fixing my house at Yoville, running my diner at Restaurant City and fighting with girls in Sorority Life.
It's true that technology makes up for the distance when people live apart, and that it plays a vital role in connecting and reconnecting long lost families and friends. However, the experience taught me that we shouldn’t forget that there are a lot of other activities that we set aside because of too much time in the internet. We should always remember to prioritize and spend our time more productively. Time wasted is time lost. When I turned 40, that was when I realized that our parents were right, life is indeed too short. There are so many things that I still wish to do. And it seems that a lifetime won’t be enough for its realization, especially when I let myself get carried away browsing through pictures, shout outs and posts over and over again.
I have started this year with a promise. No, I’m not going to throw my laptop out of the window and revert back to snail mail nor am I going to delete my Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Messenger and Skype accounts. But I’m going to make the internet my ally, a significant partner that I can use and spend quality time with. Not something that I would waste my time on because I have nothing better else to do. Months ago, I was substantially able to cut down from my usual internet gaming fancy. So I do feel some sense of satisfaction.
For me it’s my dependence, or worse, addiction to the internet, that makes me feel an unworthy servant. Maybe for you, it’s something else. It is important for us to pause and examine ourselves on how we sometimes carelessly spend our time. Let us ask the Lord for guidance and strength that this New Year will be a constant offering of our precious time in serving Him in His vineyard. And for all our actions to God be the glory…
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