Lefkada, Greece - For the last year now -- ever since I passed out from exhaustion, broke my cheekbone and got five stitches over my eye -- I've been working on bringing more balance in my life.
The prevailing culture still tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, that working 80 hours a week is better than working 70, that being plugged in 24/7 is expected, and that sleeping less and multi-tasking more are an express elevator to the top.
But there is a growing movement that rejects these archaic notions (in today's sped-up world, archaic means the 1980s). In fact, I'm currently reading In Praise of Slowness here on Lefkada, an extremely slow Greek Island. In Praise of Slowness is a terrific book by Carl Honore, a self-professed former "speedaholic" in which he advocates the need for a more measured existence. And, in a piece in the New York Times, recovering "techco-addict" Mark Bittman details his search for not only rest but relief from his Internet addiction disorder and points to others on the same quest.
Bittman quotes David Levy, a University of Washington professor: "Who would say you don't need time to think, to reflect to be successful and productive?"
If you are lucky, you have "a final straw moment" before it's too late. For me it was passing out from exhaustion; for Bittman it was obsessively checking his email via his in-seat phone on a trans-Atlantic flight; for Honore it was when he started reading one-minute bedtime stories to his two-year old to save time.
Since my cheekbone/final straw moment, I've become an evangelist for the need to occasionally disconnect from our always-connected lives. It has guided the editorial philosophy behind our retooled Living section -- promoting the ways that we can take care of ourselves and lead balanced, centered lives while at the same time making a positive difference in the world.
And since there is no zealot like the convert, we've decided to demonstrate that a balanced life is possible even during the most compulsively hectic days in the political calendar. So during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, HuffPost's Living section will offer harried conventioneers -- including delegates and members of the media -- a chance to unplug and recharge at the HuffPost Oasis.
The Oasis will feature complimentary yoga classes, Thai massages, hand massages, mini-facials, healthy snacks and refreshments, music, and a comfortable seating area for lounging and unwinding.
Our partner on the Oasis is Off the Mat, Into the World, a wonderful organization that promotes activism as an adjunct to healthy living. It was cofounded by Seane Corne, with whom I practice yoga when she's not traveling the world for Off the Mat. It was actually during one of our yoga sessions that the idea for the Oasis first began to shimmer.
We were talking (sorry, I know you're not supposed to talk during yoga!) about how HuffPost wanted to create a space during the convention where people could go to recharge -- and about how the need to do so becomes all the more important the busier you are. She loved the idea and quickly signed on. So did Shawn Henderson, interior designer and eBay Design Director, who is creating a great place to relax and re-energize.
So, in the midst of the convention craziness, along with bringing you the latest in convention news, scoops, gossip, and on-scene video, HuffPost will be featuring extensive coverage of all the goings on at The Oasis, including blogging and interviews about how conventioneers unplug and recharge.
Check in next week to see what happens when America's political obsessives unplug their laptops, turn off their iPhones and Blackberrys, and step into The Oasis.
On another convention front, HuffPost's OffTheBus will be presenting its Maximum Exposure Project, an undertaking that will show us in pictures what the Democratic and Republican conventions look like -- up close and personal. As such, OffTheBus is looking for ground-level observers who are planning to attend the DNC and RNC conventions, cameras in tow. We want you to snap shots of the convention as you experience it. What's happening around you? Who did you run into in the hotel lobby? At a restaurant? What was going on at a party you attended? Send us your photos or completed sideshows and we'll post them on HuffPost's OffTheBus Maximum Exposure page, which is being produced in partnership with the USC Annenberg's Center on Communication Leadership and the Institute for Photographic Empowerment. So point, shoot, and submit!
And while we are talking about OffTheBus, I'm delighted to announce that it has been nominated for "Changing the World: Top 10 In 'Net and Politics," an award given by PoliticsOnline and the World eDemocracy Forum. All of us at HuffPost are extremely proud of OffTheBus' successes. So please support the HuffPost community, and cast a vote for OffTheBus. It will only take a moment; just click here now.
I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Please take better care of yourself.
We need you. You are my reigniter of hope, every time I get too bogged down and depressed with the insanity that has become our society, with the lies and betrayal that have become our government, and with the ignorance that has become our population.
Thank you Arianna. I tell everyone I meet about HuffPo... and they're always thankful.... for that sane place they too need to go to when everything is spinning out of control.
If they would only get a good night's sleep before they open their mouths...
Talk to the smiling toothless Sudanese man whose family found a better life in a dusty, polluted Cairo slum. Mere sustainability would fulfill his life's dreams.
Be reminded that 2.8 billion (40%) of people on Earth live on less than $2.00 a day while we have our logos and lattes.
...Arianna, I'm very happy that you are recovering. And congatulations on the achievement and spectacular success of HuffPo.
Hope you can see beyond your private island that Hellas is suffering, and start reporting on that. Otherwise in a couple of years we'll do fundraising for our country, our birtplaceHellas is deeply buried in corruption, social turmoil from September, and decadence.
The rest (deep blue waters, picturesque coastline, relaxation, eternal vacations, the cozy feeling of the Ionian sea and the Mediterranean) are for the tourists. There's a difference between a tourist and a traveller.
I have been telling you that you need some Habitat For Humanity Rooftop experience. Refocusing is what the Rooftop moments are all about.
Peace,
Tom
"The prevailing culture still tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, that working 80 hours a week is better than working 70, that being plugged in 24/7 is expected, and that sleeping less and multi-tasking more are an express elevator to the top."
This is an express elevator to a heart attack.
Breathe in,,, Pause,,, Breathe out,,, Pause,,,,
Center,, let your mind and body relax.
Breathe in,,, Pause,,, Breathe out,,, Pause,,,,
Awww,,, just that helps.
A most welcomed idea,, Arianna.
Breathe out,,, Pause,,,
All the best
Knute Neo-LIB
I meant to post this as a thread to the posting by Wilson201 @12:52 am 08/21/08
"This is why the Dem's must win. This is what the Repulican's are doing right now.
"The really dangerous American fascist... is the man who wants to do in the United States....."
But ya know maybe bragging about going to a small private island in Greece on the Mediterannean isn't the best thing to be telling the lot of us since that sort of comes across as limo liberalism sort of thing.
Just sayin' cuz you know I've been on this site since the week it started.
I LUV OBAMA!
I feel to counteract the HATE compaign of Mc Cain, is with
LOVE, which will define Mc Cain and the Republican party the party of
HATE!
We should start putting out bumper stickers with I (heart
symbol) OBAMA, Also campaign buttons with the same thing.
What help
Eisenhower to get elected, was the slogan "I LIKE IKE" Jimmmy Carter
got elected with a great Smile!
The world today needs love, and Peace.
All the
Bush regime has spread is HATE & WAR, & Death! We need a President who can spread
LOVE & PEACE!
LET'S PUT OUR "HEART" IN THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN!
LETS MAKE OBAMA'S "CHANGE" FROM HATE & WAR TO
LOVE AND PEACE! LET
THE OBAMA SYMBOL BE THE HEART
MAKE LOVE NOT WAR!