This afternoon I will do something I’ve never done before. I’m going on a Christian spiritual retreat.
I wish I could tell you more, but I don’t have a lot of information other than it is in Kerrville, Texas, I need to bring a sleeping bag, linens, warm clothes and toiletries. (I remember my Girl Scout leader telling me the same thing on our first big girl camping trip.) Those are the only details I have.
My friend is sponsoring me. She’s driving me there, driving me back and generally taking care of me. She spoke with my husband for a while and I was hoping I could get the scoop from him. But he’s not telling me anything. 
For a control freak someone who enjoys knowing what is going to happen and when, it’s a little disconcerting. But – every person I have spoken to who has gone on this retreat gets ecstatic when I tell them I’m going. Their smiles are wide and their eyes get all sparkly. “You’re going to love it!” “It was life changing!” “You will never feel as loved as when you are at the retreat.” And these are normal (whatever that means) people who I admire professionally and personally. So I’m going and I’m excited.
There is something else I need to tell you. No technology allowed.
Yeah. You’re probably reacting the same way I did when I heard that.
Me: “I can bring my laptop right?”
Sponsor: “No.”
Me: “Well I can bring my cell phone right?’
Sponsor: “No.”
Me: …
Sponsor: “This retreat is about removing all the distractions from your life so you can focus on your relationship with God.”
Me: “What if I bring my cell phone just to text?”
Sponsor: …
My family will be able to reach me and vice-versa if there is an emergency, but that’s it. I’m a small business owner, with a soon to start 6-week series of seminars. People will call me, email me, Tweet me and Facebook me. And I won’t be there to answer.
As I struggled to mentally get my arms around being unplugged for 3.5 days I realized something. I have not had a vacation, a truly unplugged vacation since 2006. I’m plugged in during the holidays. I’m plugged in on the weekends. I’m never not plugged in. And as I’m packing my bags to leave for this retreat, I can’t wait to be unplugged!
So this is good-bye until Monday.
Going dark, Alicia
Photo Courtesy of eirikref
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m excited for you! I smile knowing that being unplugged will be a challenge, but the reward will be so much greater! Chat with you Monday when you’re plugged back in! Blessings my friend!
Good for you. As you know I also run a small business, and there is literally NOTHING that requires someone to have immediate access to me for business reasons. If I lose a client who wants a jump to the phone lackey/slave, I probably don’t want to work for them anyway.
I don’t have a cell phone, I don’t do instant messages, and truth to tell I don’t even answer my phone that consistently.
I am a huge proponent of having technology serve us as humans, and not the other way round.
That is so awesome. I am praying for your relationship with God to grow. I cannot wait to hear the results. I want my wife to expierence the same thing also, maybe some day. Take care and take notes.
Wow. I don’t know if I could unplug. But I also know it would be great for me to do it from time to time. You’re going to have a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re back!
Good for you! Maybe you can share your experience here. Relax, enjoy and see you when you get back.
I’m envious and intimidated at the same time. I think being free from the iPhone leash would be something else. How could I run my business without these tools? I’m eager to try something similar soon, thank you for instilling this idea in my heart, I now long to unplug.
I promise you that you are not “going dark”… you’re going to THE LIGHT!! I know from my own experience you will be abundantly blessed and I cannot wait to see your face and hear all about it when you return! De Colores, my beautiful friend… ily! <3