Last year, I slowly worked my way through a book called The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World. Penned by Canadian writer Christina Crook, the book grew out of the lessons she learned during a 31-day “fast” from smartphone data, email and the Internet.

It’s a fascinating—and often sobering—look at the way technology has consumed our lives, affected our brains and changed the way we relate to people. At the same time, it provides a hopeful way forward for those of us who long to be fully present in our lives but still struggle with distractions that suck our time and steal our joy.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want this coming holiday season to pass by in a blur, and especially not because I’m overly concerned about maintaining some sort of online presence in the midst of all the festivities. Even now, as I think through how I can keep that from happening, the following quotes from The Joy of Missing Out are providing motivation and perspective.

We’ll start off with a thought about the importance of the pause button:

“We are all publishers on the Internet. We think our innermost thoughts are profound, important and shareable. And, often, they are. But what they are not, is unique. If the Internet has anything to teach us, it’s probably this: everyone’s a star and everyone’s a critic, and we might all do well to take pause before posting.”

What getting offline does for us:

“Stepping offline reminds us that we are small. The online world, and indeed the world at large, keeps on without us. Our likes, our comments and tweets are not missed. The world—it keeps on turning.”

The best kind of people:

“Present people, people who look you straight in the eye, are a rare and wonderful breed.”

What real life gives us:

“Proximity paints the real picture. Even if we air our foibles and grievances—our metaphorical laundry—online, only those closest to us are privy to our day-in, day-out attitudes and experiences. Real life paints the whole picture; online we see only the strokes.”

The Internet as a tool:

“We don’t use a screwdriver to butter toast. We don’t use a knife to write a love letter. Use the Internet like any tool. Take it out for a specific purpose and then put it away.”

Finally, the truth about choices:

“Every choice is a renunciation. The moment that changes everything is the moment we wake up to the truth that we have to give up something to accomplish our goal. We must renounce to gain.”

Those last five words, especially, are really simmering in my heart and mind these days. They’re leading to something, although I’m not quite sure what just yet.

So how about you? Do any of these quotes resonate with you in a particular way? And how do you find balance in this wired world of ours, especially during the the holiday season?

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart and Grace & Truth.