Category Archives: Addiction

A classic sign of addictive behavior is when

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“A classic sign of addictive behavior is when something not human starts to supplant human relationships.”

—Arthur C. Brooks, faculty member of the Harvard Business School

Image from Unsplash by Unsplash

Over the 4th of July holiday we attended a family pool party. The weather and water temperature were perfect. It was extra special because everyone focused on each other the entire day without a cell phone in sight — except for one individual.

When not swimming or eating, this person was head down in his device, even when his bathing-suit-clad children were seeking his attention to talk or play.

EXERCISE:

Where do you or others in your life prioritize things over people? What addictive behaviors need some adjustment to demonstrate that the best things in life are not things?

“It is named the WEB for a good reason.”

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“It is named the web for a good reason.”

—David Foster Wallace, late American Novelist

Image from Unsplash by Robert Anasch

Did you know that spiderwebs don’t just intercept prey but actually attract it?

Many people—including me—have believed that spiders simply set up their traps in a promising area that insects travel and wait to see what happens.

It turns out that many spiders build webs using designs that actively attract other insects. They don’t just trap the unlucky.

How often and in what ways are you lured and trapped by the seductive aspects of the worldwide web?

In what negative ways does it consume pieces of your life without you knowing?

EXERCISE:

What are some good strategies for avoiding and breaking free from the addictive, alluring man-made web?

“When you pay attention to boredom, it gets unbelievably interesting.”

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“When you pay attention to boredom, it gets unbelievably interesting.”

—Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, scientist, writer, and meditation teacher

Image of a woman looking bored

Image from Unsplash by Callie Morgan

Did you know that there are three types of boredom, each involving problems of engagement and attention? They are times when:

  • We are prevented from engaging in desired activities
  • We are forced to participate in unwanted activities
  • We are simply unable – for whatever reason – to maintain our level of engagement in an activity

For some, boredom may be taken as the essential human condition to which God, Wisdom, or Morality are the ultimate answer. Many sources note that boredom can be a dangerous and disruptive state of mind that can negatively influence our health. Meanwhile, some research suggests that without boredom we could not realize many of our most creative achievements.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional life do you find yourself over-stimulated and even a bit addicted to the attention-grabbing objects and experiences around you?

Where would seeking more quiet and even boring moments in your life be a time for renewal and personal growth?