Lessons from Lent

So I've had 40 days of minimal internet contact. I didn't un-install my browsers like I had planned, although I should have because I cheated occasionally.

The first week was definitely the hardest. I'd check my e-mail and keep hitting the send/receive button thinking..there has to be more! My computer is upstairs and before Lent I'd come up to check e-mail and browse from 7-10 times during the day. I found the time between e-mail checks began to slow down (only so many times I can hit send/receive til it sinks in there is no new e-mail!). I even *gasp* went a full day here and there without checking at all!

I mentioned that I cheated occasionally. Not once did I log into Facebook, my blog reader, or Twitter but I did give myself permission to do check things here and there that I felt necessary. My son moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and the new troop I needed to do some on-line training, get permissions slips, etc. The worse times for me was when Russ & I would be researching something. At first I'd just look over his shoulder..that got annoying real quick. Then I just "jump on Google to check" for myself and I'd find myself wandering around on tangents again. But..as soon as I realized what I was doing..I would stop.

Probably one of the hardest things was getting friend requests from Facebook and Twitter follows. Some of the people I had e-mails for and was able to explain..the others I hope will not think I snubbed them.

Anyway..so what did I get out of this? quiet, lot's of quiet

No, I don't need to turn my speakers down. I mean mental quiet. I love information..from people, books, blogs..anywhere. I still read books (lots in fact..I got a lot of reading done the past month and a half) but I'd have quiet interludes during the day to just think (while catching up on much needed housework!). I could get an e-mail and not immediately jump to Google to find 20 solutions to the problem..I could just think for a while, figure it the solution myself. Which is probably the same solution I would have come up with after 40 minutes of web-surfing anyway.

How did this fit in with my word of the year - Renew? It definitely helped:

Intellectual - As I said before, I did a LOT of reading. Some educational, some just fun (I read the 4 books from the Twilight series last week). I also got my acceptance e-mail (and then letter) from the University of Texas in Arlington. I'm heading back to school to work on a Masters of City and Regional Planning. More on this later.


Artistic - I did get some painting done. I finished a pet portrait commission and a flower painting. I'm finally starting to relax when I think about painting instead of the "who would want to buy this" panic I'd go into. Again..blog fodder for another day.

Physical - This is going well but slow. After doing a 13 mile hike with a group of scouts, I decided I'd really start pushing my workouts to the limit. For almost a month I did weights a minimum of 2 times a week and did some sort of cardio (running, elliptical, biking, etc) for 30 minutes to an hour 5-6 days a week. I really felt the difference in my body but my weight loss ground to a halt. Mentally, I need to see some progress so I've back off the intensity. I'm sill training to run a 5k though.

Spiritual - My Bible in a year goal is still going too slowly for my own satisfaction. I found myself writing arguments against the workbook author in the workbook I was using so I decided to switch tracks. I bought The One Year Chronological Bible and the guidebook. I haven't used the guidebook but it does help to have daily goals (that I can see I'm missing ;)) I'm almost to the end of February and I'm sure I'd be much further along if I wasn't so engrossed in the Twilight books last week. The mental quiet I talked about above also gave me a lot of time to think, ponder, pray and a philosophize which is one of the main reasons for breaking bad habits during Lent.

Emotional - Getting stronger every day. I've made the choice inside myself that I will change and hence my life is changing to fit.

So..enlightened, lightened, and lit up! Ok..so that's corny but I can't think of a funny or sage way to end this blog but from my several "more on this later" comments..I'd better sign off and get to work!

Fitzi, 7" x 5" acrylic on canvas, sold

Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th

You'll have to read all the way to the bottom to find out why....

New Spring Class Schedule is Online
Enrollment is now open for Spring Session Child Art Classes. This is always a favorite as we study Animal & People Portraits for 10 weeks culminating in an acrylic self-portrait (plus lots of other fun projects!). Registration is for current students only until March 5th. If your child is not currently enrolled, I will put their name on a list and pull from that list first on March 5th.

Deadline is March 11. I've always been loose about deadlines in the past but I only have 1 week in between sessions this time and I need to order supplies before Winter Session ends. Deposit of 20% is required of ALL students to hold a spot.

Changes
Some may notice changes in my class scheduling and my art schedules this year. I am currently shifting a lot of my emphasis as I prepare to go back to school this coming fall to work on my Master's degree. I am shifting my art sales to be on-line and studio based instead of through shows.

As for my classes, at this time, I do plan to continue teaching while attending school in the fall. I am cutting back and altering my schedule (no more during the day classes) to prepare for and accommodate my own studies. Afterschool classes will continue as normal during Spring and I'll have to wait to closer to Fall to see what changes I will need to make. I do plan on teaching and I'm working out several scenarios to accommodate the greatest number and age span of kids.

Painting
Stress and indecision can wreak havoc on anyone's life and artistic inspiration is no exception. I take it as a good sign I'm on the right path that I am starting to get the itch to paint again. Duplicity is my first finished piece of 2009. This small collage is a reflection of the direction my art has taken over the past several months. I've toyed with combining painted images and collage elements for several years. Look for more to come! This painting is a 5" x 7" x 3/8" acrylic/collage on canvas board and priced at $35. (Note: 2/24..changed painting slightly, this is the updated version.)

Now...Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th
It started in Sunday School about a week ago when the teacher was talking about the things that separate you from God...tv, internet, etc. My husband leaned over and whispered, "So you are going to give up the internet for Lent this year?" I quickly whispered back, "NO WAY!" I am a notorious e-mail checking, web browsing junkie. My "I need to check my e-mail real quick." always turns into 15 minutes to an hour. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Woot, Amazon..I'm on them every day...usually several times a day.

So I started thinking about his comment and decided not only was the internet keeping me from God, but also my family and other things I need or even just want to do. At first I decided I'd do it all cold-turkey..no e-mail..no internet..nothing. But, I'd have a few committees that meet by e-mail that would be pretty upset with me, not to mention all the parents like me who enroll and everything else via e-mail.

So, I'll check my e-mail (although I am going to try to limit how often during the day) but I'm uninstalling my browsers and will not be a part of the web for 46 days starting this Wednesday (yes..I know Lent in only 40 days..but you don't get to count Sundays).

I'll give a Renewal update then and, hopefully, I'll have lots to report with all the extra time I'm going to have!