Here's the other part of my conflict: I'm a much better VIRTUAL gardener than I am a real-life gardener. Check out my FarmTown farm on Facebook:
On Facebook, I have an orchard, plenty of fields to plant seeds in, and aminals! Virtual gardening is easy-peasy...I don't have to water the plants, feed the soil my very own secret-recipe animal dropping cocktail, or grapple with rooty, assertive weedlings. All I have to do is add the FarmTown App to my Facebook account, and click a few buttons every day or so. The veggies and fruits are BEAUTIFUL, but I find myself somehow unfulfilled by them. Perhaps it's because I can only look at their virtual loveliness. I find myself wanting to nibble at my computer screen. Is that abnormal?
Really, what I'm getting down to is a subject that Elder Bednar talked about in his CES Fireside earlier this month. His talk was entitled "Things As They Are," and it made me take a break from my virtual gardening to make a quick inventory of the time I spend outside of church activities and my 40-hour-ish work week.
I have aspirations to become a gardener, and the gene that produces green thumbs is prevalent in my familial gene pool. What, then, is stopping me from pursuing that goal? Sad to say...I haven't spent time getting dirt under my fingernails because I've been taking care of a garden where real soil cannot and should not exist under any circumstances. :) In fact, the internet sucks up much more of my time than I care to admit. How many books could I have read in that time? How many hours could I have spent with friends and family, or doing service for others? Really, folks, it's time that I separate myself from the virtual world a bit more, so that I can partake in the glories of the real world. It's time to get out there and get dirty!
Do I think it's wrong to be part of the FarmTown App on Facebook? Certainly not...as long as it is in moderation. So perhaps after I've tended my REAL garden (which will consist of tomatos, peppers, and cabbage for starters), I will wash my hands and treat myself to the immediate successes that always greet me when I visit my virtual garden.
8 comments:
That was a great talk wasn't it? I think it really did help us all re-evaluate ;)
true. facebook is so addicting.
hehe. I love it. That talk sounds great and I think I am going to look it up today to read. And you've given me the extra boost I need to begin gardening myself! How are you by the way??
I listened to this talk online and it also hit home for me! I spend so much time doing nothing much online. I've tried to consciously take note of the time I spend and try to do other things during that time. I'm progressing, but have a long way to go! :) Thanks for the reminder
Btw, it's been forever since we've talked. How are you?!! I miss all you out there. I really need to call and chat... another thing I should do instead of being online. :) Love you.
Jillian - It was a great talk! Nice eye-opener. :)
Cher - Yes, indeed, and I need to wean myself of the addiction!
Elisse - ELISSE! How are you?? I'm doing great in SLC. I will comment on your blog more often. :)
Martha - I'd always love to talk to you on the phone. Feel free to call any time!
This is exactly what I'm talking about in class right now! Care if I tell my students about you?
I really liked Elder Bednar's talk. It really got me thinking about my virtual experience. It's weird to think there is an entire world (quite literally) that has no real physical matter at all. No wonder satan wants us to get completely wrapped up in the virtual - it's basically the kind of life he is forced to live!
That's not to say the net is bad. It has so much good that it would be silly to call it evil, but there is something to be said for the amount of time and energy spent online. I find myself guilty of too much cybertime.
Great post!
- Chas
http://music.willowrise.com
Wendy, of course you may tell your students about me. :)
Chas, isn't great to have inspired people on earth who can give us "reality checks" every now and again? It was great to see you and Jenny at Jake's wedding. :)
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