Well, I wasn’t expecting that last Friday night!

I had placed my computer on my sofa to answer the door, then when I came back several minutes later to continue what I’d been doing, I was met with a black screen. No little glowing green light, no familiar whirring of the electronic engines starting up after a snooze.

Silence.

My electronic world had collapsed before my eyes.

I tried the usual flipping and switching and pressing of buttons, but to my dismay it was clear that my computer was "toast." Given the degree to which I rely upon this nifty machine to handle enormous amounts of communication, this was a bit of a surprise. I admittedly felt unplugged for the first time in a long time.

My computer is my phone book, my city map, event calendar, and often, social life. It’s my DVD player, my children’s audio book player, my online encyclopedia, and dictionary. It’s also what has been my receptacle for some rather flattering and poetically indulgent messages from a Frenchman named, "Mansoir."

While you’d think losing all of this would have at least got my feathers ruffled or my heart racing, I was surprised to find myself giggling on my bed at the serendipity of it all. A "spanking from the universe" as Amy called it, but for me a fortuitous chance to indulge in some selfish play. Although, admittedly I was disappointed there would be no message from Mansoir!

I had the most incredible evening doing nothing other than puttering in the silent observation of what is. I could feel things and think things, and play with ideas in a way I don’t usually, because I’m generally just too focused on getting stuff done.

Being unplugged from the computer got me plugged back into myself in a whole new way, and it was exciting.

I’m sure it was no coincidence that on Thursday night (just the night before) I’d had an incredibly inspiring interview with Brendan Brazier. Who knew a 32 year old bachelor would have had so much inspiration for women? We posted this call for free on our Raw Diva blog, and I strongly encourage you to listen to it. Just play it in the background while you’re working away at your own computer, or in the kitchen. There’s a lot to learn there, and a very strong message on the importance of selfishness.

It’s true that had the universe not dealt me this date with serendipity, I would likely have worked and plugged away all weekend at my computer, as usual. But instead, I played about in the quiet observation of life itself. Of me–caught in the headlights, but still smiling.

A piece of advice, if I may be so bold as to offer one:

Don’t wait for a spanking from the universe to take a bit of time for yourself. While my experience was pure pleasure and adventure, it was the most expensive date I’ve had in a long, long time. Better to incorporate little moments of quiet, selfish indulgence more regularly, I think.

We can’t be very efficient Moms if we aren’t taking the time to charge our own batteries sometimes. Even if that does mean taking a bit of time unplugged.

May this week bring you all kinds of interesting surprises, and may you have the wisdom and patience and courage to observe the gifts they offer, regardless of how difficult or troublesome they may seem at the time.

Love and hugs,

Tera

p.s.

The best part of my little indulgent evening, is that I called Amy and asked her to forward "Mansoir" a message letting him know that my computer was down, but forwarding my cell phone number instead. Hehehe…  Guess who called me from a phone booth in Italy while wandering in front of the Vatican!!

A whole lot of giggles and grins comin’ at ya!