Uncertainty and Fasting

Why hello there. As you can see, I don't know what I'm doing. I've never had any experience with blogs or anything like that. Regarding life in general, I don't know what I'm doing half the time. I think that universal problem of uncertainty contributed to my desire to create a blog. Maybe. However, I don't think I'm alone in my uncertainty, and for those of you who are uncertain as well, join the club. I'm sure we can find you some refreshments and a comfortable seat. Yeah, that's my attempt at humor for today.

For one of my classes, I'm required to practice a new spiritual discipline this semester, and I chose fasting. Specifically, I'm fasting from my phone, iPod, social media, and recorded music for two days every week. Email is my only form of electronic communication, and I use the Internet for schoolwork. That's it. I was hoping I'd become a little more self-aware and record my thoughts. I guess the need to share my thoughts and maintain accountability was also part of my motivation for creating a blog. I'm also an English major, so perhaps my inner writer is finally emerging.

So far, I've been unable to summarize my fasting experience succinctly. Each day has been unique with different struggles, discoveries, and pleasures. Recorded music has been the most difficult form of electronic entertainment to give up. So much of my day involves plugging in my earbuds and listening to music while I do homework, read, and sit in my room. Nothing is inherently wrong with listening to music. But, at times, it's easier to ignore life's problems and surround myself with sound than to consciously struggle to find a solution (Yes, I just split an infinitive. Deal with it). One of my friends opposes pain killers because they mask the problem instead of healing it. On some level, anything that is not God can be used as a mask. This is idolatry. Idolatry is inherently wrong.

Well, I've run out of time. I'll add more thoughts in a different post. Enjoy!