To much of a good thing?

Without a doubt, the modern world has enhanced the human experience. We have so much more than our ancestors could've ever considered. Within arms reach we have access to more information than a singular library, and food that is readily available at the click of a button. It's these two things that I feel as calling of fast. Moreover, on Friday, October 27, 2023, Fr Michael O'Connor of Our Lady of the Gulf presented a homily highlighting the need for fasting. 

"Growing in holiness and self-control can be attained through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving."

I've decided to take a 'mental and physical vacation,'. I want to declutter my mind and body to focus on what really matters in life—my relationship with God, my health, and the meaningful connections I have with people.

My Motivation:

1. Spiritual Alignment: Just we fast to grow closer to God and seek spiritual nourishment, I’m fasting from social media and junk food to foster my spiritual and physical well-being.
2. Personal Serenity: Jimmy Buffett's music often centers on themes of relaxation and introspection, stepping away from the chaos to find you own personal 'Margaritaville.' For me, this fast is my own way of finding that peaceful space.

The Method:

1. Food Fasting: In the Catholic tradition, fasting from food is a form of penance and self-discipline. For me, avoiding junk food isn’t just a physical health move, but also a spiritual one. It's about exercising self-control and focusing on healthier sustenance, both for the body and soul.
2. Social Media Fasting: Much like how Buffett's songs urge us to 'breathe in, breathe out, move on,' I’m breathing out the toxicity and distractions of social media. I want to reorient my attention towards more positive and spiritually uplifting activities.

The Balance:

In the Parrothead lifestyle, it’s all about balance—knowing when to kick back with a margarita but also recognizing when it's time to focus on the more serious aspects of life. My fasting journey mirrors this balance. I’m not completely shunning food or technology; I’m simply reevaluating what I consume, both physically and mentally.

In a society that often promotes consumption—whether it be of food, information, or material goods—fasting serves as a countercultural act. I'm sending my own personal message, both to oneself and to others, that we are not solely defined by what we consume. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, fasting, be it from food or social media, provides a pathway to a different kind of fulfillment—one that is spiritual in nature and rooted in a deeper understanding of oneself and one's faith.

So I'm saying goodbye to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and other social media networks until Christmas.