Learning Some Life Lessons...From My Laptop! (LESSON # 1)

A few days ago, I ran my laptop non-stop for about 3 days without shutting down, putting on sleep or hibernating.  Even when I wasn't actually in front of it, I left it on because I was downloading something (I know, I know, my carbon footprint is awful -- to my environmentalist friends, I promise to be more cautious of this!).  When I went back to work on it on the 4th morning, I could really feel how "tired" it was... it was starting to run in 'slow mo'!  Hmmm. Actually, it wasn't exactly "running", it was only jogging or maybe even just brisk walking!

For most gadgets, the quick solution for behavior like this (or other similar problems) is simply to reboot.  And so that's exactly what I did -- close all the active windows and click "RESTART."  Sure enough, when I used it again, it was running probably more than twice the speed it was before rebooting!  Hallelujiah!

This got me thinking... what a precious life lesson this actually is!

REBOOT.

There are times when I find myself "running" non-stop for a couple of days -- working on multiple things, rushing to this place and that, holding meetings right and left.  I'm so focused on the never-ending "to-do list", that I sometimes forget to breathe, to stop, to rest! (though I rarely forget to eat, haha! When the tummy calls, I usually answer…at worst, I end up taking very late lunches or dinners if I have deadlines to meet).  

I've been like this pretty much since way back in high school.  But don't get me wrong.  I don't consider myself a "workaholic"; and I am rarely "stressed out" even if I have many, many, MANY things to do (pressure, sometimes... but stress, hardly -- I'll share my thoughts on the difference of "pressure vs. stress" in another post).  

Rather, I liken myself more to that Energizer Battery mascot, the "Energizer Bunny" -- for those who aren't familiar with this, watch this original Energizer TV commercial  and a few other succeeding commercials, to get the point more - 1989 Commercial  and 2000  Commercial.

But naturally, after some time, even an Energizer Bunny runs out of well...energy! The usual case of "the mind is willing but the flesh is weak" kicks in and I find that I'm no longer as productive or efficient as I was a few days before.  The solution? -- REBOOT!  

There are tons of ways to reboot, its really just up to you to get creative and find out what works best for you.  Here's a shortlist of "my favorite ways to reboot" -- some being quick fixes, while others require a little more planning (and expense):

(in no particular order)

1) having a simple dinner or movie night out with friends

2) if the opportunity is there, ballroom dancing  

3) going to daily mass or dropping by the adoration chapel

4) a long night's sleep!!! --> often the best way to reboot

5) going to my school in Tagaytay

6) watching "downloads"

7) looking through photo albums / archives

8) reviewing Hebrew vocabulary words (yes, geek!)

9) recently, writing this blog ;-)

10) and if i need a major reboot, going out of town for a few days 

Like I said, the list can go on and on.  The point is, we all need to reboot, re-charge, re-energize ourselves every now and then, in the midst of our busy, busy lives.  Not only does this give us renewed inspiration, zeal and clarity of mind to do the things we have to do... these activities also inject the much needed "happy hormones" into our system which ultimately make us more creative...and less insane! :-)

So go ahead, if you're starting to run in slow-mo, reboot today.

* * * 

Jesus Himself "rebooted" a lot during His years of ministry...

"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone." (NASB) - Matthew 14:23

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (NIV) - Mark 1:35

"It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." (NASB) - Luke 6:12

"Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples." (NIV) - John 6:3