Do you find it challenging to focus, to pray, to reflect, or even to have long conversations with friends?
According to Daniel Levitan in an article in Fast Company titled, “Why it’s so hard to pay attention, explained by science,” “In 2011, Americans took in five times as much information every day as they did in 1986—the equivalent of 174 newspapers.”
When we are consuming almost 174 newspapers worth of information every day, we should not be surprised that our capacity to do deep work internally and relationally is stifled.
The problem is obvious. But, what is the solution? How do we take in less when our work, family, and the world seem to demand more? What does practicing simplicity look like for our minds?
Here are two suggestions to get started this week:
1. Take stock of the information you consume every day.
Get out a piece of paper and write every type of information you consume and where you get it from. Do you read your personal and work emails? Do you use social media? Do you listen to podcasts, music, or the news? How often do you text, call, or video chat? Are you reading any books or articles? What are you watching on TV?
2. For the next day or week, try not to consume any information that is unnecessary.
In the extra few minutes or hours when you could listen to a podcast, watch a show, or scroll your screen, I challenge you to simply read or listen to our Advent passage for this week. Then, you can write it out, imagine the scene in your mind, think about the passage, or sit with God in silence. What will happen in those undistracted minutes?
This week, or this whole Advent season, you can choose to take in less information. You are not choosing to be unengaged in the world. You aren’t choosing to be indifferent or uncaring.
You are choosing to be like Mary, a woman who could receive the biggest announcement, the greatest piece of information with wonder and great consideration.
Like Mary, cultivating simplicity in your mind doesn’t mean you think simple thoughts. It means your humanity only allows you a certain capacity to think any thoughts.
So, let’s make room for the thoughts that matter.
In the comments below, share at least three "information bombs" you'll refrain from this week. Pray that Jesus will meet you in those undistracted minutes with fresh insight and hope.
Okay, don't refrain from all technology. Come back here tomorrow for your second practical tip to cultivate simplicity in your mind!
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