In my personal Bible study, I was encouraged to give up all media for 24 hours. I read through the list.
Television: I can avoid television. As a young mom, I used to crave the noise and fake interaction. But, as a middle-aged woman, I find I have to be working on a project or have an intentional reason to watch a show (i.e. spending quality time with my husband). I rarely seek out watching television for myself.
Radio: My car radio was tuned to easy-listening when I was working outside the home. That was almost twenty-five years ago. I used to binge on an album until I had it memorized. About four years ago, I stopped listening to music in the car. I have found I need those moments of silence.
Magazines: I've had a few subscriptions over the years. I can avoid these without issue.
Newspapers: I only wish for a newspaper when I need something to crumple up or wrap around a breakable to keep it secure.
Internet: It is nearly impossible to give up the Internet completely. I have been taking a break from Facebook and closed the tabs on my phone. My goal is to reduce my viewing time to once a week or when I notice a worthwhile posting through email. But, other than that, no peeking. I am not missing it. I think my relationships will be better for it, too. I would hope that major events and conversations would come through a text or an email anyway.
About this moment in reading through the list, I was feeling confident that I could go media-free for a whole day. But, then...
Books.
Books?! I have to give up reading for a whole day?! Oh, I can read my Bible. Okay, that's good. I rarely have a good day without doing that. But, I can't read my other books?! I can't read my Kindle?! I can't listen to my Audible books while knitting or cleaning?!
Now I had to have stern conversation with myself.
Can you give up reading books for a day?
...
Think about it.
I am!
Can you do this?
Probably.
Do you want to do this?
No!
Can you change your attitude?
No. Maybe. No. Not by myself anyway.
There's truth in knowing our limitations and weaknesses. I discovered that giving up reading for knowledge or pleasure is not something I want to do. But, maybe I need to if only for a day. And I don't have to give up reading entirely. I have to give up all books, but one.
That alone could change my attitude. If only for a day.