Sometimes, when life gets a bit too frantic or the demands of business get a bit too loud. I like to just tell people, "Enough. Go outside and be a Pagan already, will you?" It always gets a chuckle, but it's said with a degree of seriousness. Life, these days, is fast paced for everyone. Daily responsibilities seem to always add up to more time than we actually have in a day.

Too often we all commiserate with each other repeating the same mantra, not enough time to get everything done. Within that daily whirlwind we often forget that as the responsibilities we carry increase so does the necessity to just take the time and stop. Taking time out for our selves as individuals is important to our overall well-being. We schedule everything from work obligations to when to exercise. As silly as it may seem what we forget to schedule most often though is time off. Time is needed to step back, review where we've been and where we're going as well as to refresh.

Owning and running a Pagan online-business has given me an interesting perspective. In my day-to-day dealings I've seen thousands of emails, posts on message board forums, and discussions in chat rooms about Pagan and related issues and experiences. I've always loved technology, and of course it wouldn't surprise you to hear me say that I love the Internet. I find it fascinating within that this amazing technology there is a very deep paradox.

The Internet is helping to bring Paganism to the mainstream, to dispel myths, to help like minded others meet and connect in ways many of us have never been able to do before. Anyone can sign online any day or time, and boom, you're among a host of Pagan websites with thousands of things to read and even more people to talk to, to learn from and to compare experiences with.

As Pagans our connection to the earth is fundamental to our spirituality, so stopping can be not only rejuvenating, it can be spiritually fulfilling as well. For me, my connection to the earth acts as fuel. My experiences carry through to the aspects in the rest of my life. It is in my use of color in my design work or the places I put myself in when I meditate. Time away reconnecting to the earth keeps me whole and grounded during even the most busy paced times.

While I live out of the broom closet, I recognize that it's not a choice for everyone. Nor am I saying that in order to be truly Pagan living out of the broom closet is a requirement. However, if your spirituality fades out when your computer screen goes black then you are missing something very valuable.

Reconnection with nature is vital, not only to the human soul, but to the divine spark that resides in each of us. The most poetic of descriptions or the most vivid graphics cant give you the experience of the nurturing warmth of the sun as it embraces you; the quiet peace of falling snow or the deep earthy scent of wet moss after a spring rain. You have to find what speaks to you and gives you your spark. Maybe it's the cool stillness of the forest, maybe it's the lullaby of ocean waves crashing against the shore. How often do you really take the time to consciously stop and notice what's around you. How often do you let the intensity of what surrounds us permeate to your core?

Even if you've only been around the net for a short time you realize that there are a ton of techno-pagans. There are many who use the net to further their paths, to search, to find, but there are times that I really do wonder if some of these people go beyond online. The question begs, "How much of your Pagan identity do you leave behind when you shut off your computer?"

For many an online circle is the only type of group ritual they may be able to experience. However I think that while the Internet brings a plethora of information and experiences to our fingertips the truest of Pagan experiences just cant be found sitting at a monitor. Even having the best video and sound card you cant really duplicate the feeling of energy raised standing circle with a group of others or on your own for that matter.

Sometimes the best way to make still all the noise of daily life is get far away from it. Sometimes the best way to address the obstacles or challenges in front of you is to walk away and put it out of your mind for a bit. Take the time to let something else fill your senses. Gods know I spend too many hours in front of my monitor. When we are working to earn more to have more to be more we get clouded by everything that must be accomplished. I've learned one lesson the hard way - that if I overload myself and refuse to take time away to refresh, I only wind up frustrated at how much I have to do and disappointed in the outcome of my work. The important thing to learn is that the time away from the computer that gives you the inspiration and the energy to work, and bring passion to all you do. It is the time away that gives you perspective and balance.

Of course you won't take my word for this, nor should you, but I challenge you to make your own experiment out of it. Ultimately when you log off the computer the only thing you really have is the relationship you have between you and your gods. So go be Pagan; go outside.