by Alyson Breisch

Southern Conference Minister

for Health and Wellness

On Monday I drove to Blowing Rock Conference Center for the Retired Servants Retreat. Driving RT 421 North from Winston Salem, the mountains slowly began to come into view - first at a distance then growing taller and more distinct against the sky. Walking to the first retreat session, I stopped to gaze at a spectacular rhododendron shrub in full bloom and looked over to majestic Grandfather Mountain. On Tuesday, when the first morning session started, I put my phone on "Do Not Disturb." This second day has been filled with class discussions, shared meals and conversations, and time to rest and refresh ourselves.

Late in the afternoon, I looked at my phone for the first time as I prepared to take some outdoor pictures. There were many advertising, general information, and news messages in my email in-box. I clicked on the majority of them to delete without opening them. It was surprisingly easy to release them with no urgent sense of having to first read each one. I also realized not one annoying spam phone call had disturbed my day!

In the enduring presence of these ancient mountains and expansive rhododendrons, time took on its proper perspective and invited me to become intentional about making more spaces in each day for phone-free periods. I'm going to more often press the "do not disturb" button on my phone. Instead of the habit of frequently checking my phone for texts and messages, I'll step out in the world - savoring time made for being fully present in meaningful awe-filled experiences.