Is it worth it?

[puppetmaker]

I was told by various people through my life, pick your battles. When I was younger, I really thought I could fight all battles that came my direction. If I was right then I would win and darn the torpedoes full speed ahead. I found out over time and finding myself on my rump after losing a battle, that fighting every battle was not the way to go.

Now I find that not everything is worth my time and effort. Especially in some places on the Internet which have turned into serious time sinks. These do not include this web log or the LJ Idol contest. I find that writing here in the morning tends to clear my mind wonderfully for the day. I have made some good friends and learned a lot by participating in the LJ Idol. But there are other things out there that I really shouldn't get my knickers in a twist about. Some people are going to be jerks on the Internet and I need to accept that I am not going to be able to change their point of view no matter how much information I toss at them.

Recently a number of friends have been going through some rocky times in their lives. It really is amazing how a phone call, e-mail, or letter can bring things sharply into perspective. Things that seemed like such a big deal now seem so trivial and I wonder why I was wasting my energy on it when my friend here is going through something in which the stakes are pretty big.

So I am going to step away from those spots on the net that are causing me to lose a lot of time. I am also limiting my game playing on the machine. I can get sucked into those for extended periods of time.

I'm also going to sit down and figure out what the next step is for me. Right now there is a lot and nothing going on behind the scenes in terms of what is next for me. But I do need some quiet think time to figure out what I am going to do next. Or at all.

I am grateful for all the good things and people I find on the Internet.

Comments

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I am grateful for all the good things and people I find on the Internet.

I hope I count among the latter.

:)

*HUG*

[deltagrl.livejournal.com]

I think you've got the right idea. Just one thing...

"I wonder why I was wasting my energy on it when my friend here is going through something in which the stakes are pretty big."

A friend told me that "a pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of anvils." I think it's fine for you to feel upset about something, even if it's not as "big" as something someone else may be going through. Our feelings are always valid.

Good luck!

[norda.livejournal.com]

I second this.

[baxaphobia.livejournal.com]

If things are a time drain and there is no return then I guess it's time to put those things in the virtual circular file! Hope you stay here as I enjoy hearing from you!

[controuble.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to ignore her, too. But now I find out she is going to WorldCon - and I am WORKING in the art show - oh noes!
Hopefully, I will be too busy to have to deal with her very much - and can spend most of my free time hanging out with Peri and Theresa & Barry and Jim and...

[lupagreenwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm in a similar place right now. Now that I'm getting more settled into an AFK existence, where I have a community I'm really intersted in on all levels, and some callings that require me to not be at a computer, I'm having to really streamline my computer time. I get stressed if I spend too much time online anyway, and finding more things outside help immensely.

[wonderbink.livejournal.com]

Excessive online time can actually exacerbate depression, according to some studies. It's definitely a good idea to use the time you spend online wisely and not let the internets suck your brain out.

I've been held back from a number of time-wasting flame wars by recalling the following Southern saying: "Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it."

[lordrexfear.livejournal.com]

Man do I feel that... I almost feel like I just need to step back from the net as a whole other than the trivial though and focus back on the real world.

I suspect failure on my part. ;)

BTW, You gonna be with Peter when he signs at Random on Saturday?

They have him down as 11-12, that right?

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Yes and Yes. I am going to have Peter post his schedule.

We are going to write it up and have it at his table for people so they can find him. We are amazed as to how full his dance card is.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

So I am going to step away from those spots on the net that are causing me to lose a lot of time. I am also limiting my game playing on the machine. I can get sucked into those for extended periods of time.

A wise move. Life's too short and filled with too much good stuff to waste time on things that upset you or drag you down. I'm just glad that posting on LJ is one of the things you'll keep. I may not reply often, but I read and greatly look foward to your posts.