Just suppose, and we're speaking hypothetically here, that someone were to read excerpts from a book encouraging regular Blackberry breaks while stopped at red lights?
The book in question is "The Gift of Rest," by U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman. The dastardly behavior in question? Um, just an example.
"That's kind of perfect," Lieberman said about a "friend's" behavior during an interview. "I’m writing this book really for anybody who’s interested in putting a little rest and perspective into their lives."
Lieberman will discuss his book, subtitled, "Rediscovering the Beauty of the Sabbath," at 7 p.m. Sunday, during the Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.
Although his book is inspired by his faith, Lieberman said it's aimed at anyone who needs to trade tweets for tranquility once in a while.
"We all need to put some fences up and say, OK, this is a time when I’m going to turn my phone and Blackberry off," he said. "I’m going to spend it with family and friends and if you’re so inclined, your religious community."
Lieberman has authored six other books.
"This is the seventh, which seems mysteriously appropriate since God told us to rest on the seventh day," he said. "The thought of writing this book has been within me for a long time. I’m at the point where I’ve decided not to run for the Senate again.
"I began to think what can I do to contribute. Nobody on his death bed says, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at work.' If you just work and work and work, you can become numb. Part of what people cheat themselves out of is devoting time to the most important relationships in their lives."
Currently an Independent, Lieberman is a past Democratic Party presidential and vice presidential contender. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, he announced early this year he wouldn't run again. During his time in office, he said, people have come to know that he unplugs Fridays at sunset to begin his weekly Sabbath observance.
"The Sabbath begins with a command from God to Moses," he said, citing the Ten Commandments. "I experience it as a gift. A gift I think is particularly important. Individually and as a culture we would benefit from the re-invigoration that comes with taking the day off.
"Americans tend to work harder than people elsewhere in the world. We’re in a hard-working, competitive society. The more electronics come into our lives the easier it is to never leave work."
This prompted another confession about the multitasking friend, who occasionally checks Twitter while in church. (The friend does sit in the balcony.) Lieberman said to knock it off.
"If I didn’t have that religious overlay, I don’t know I would have that self discipline to break that Blackberry or cell phone addiction," he said, adding that he feels liberated during his weekly techno-free respite, and then rejuvenated. He's not sure what life after his Senate career will look like but he'll be busy -- within reason.
"I’m not the kind of person who will ever retire until I have to for physical reasons," Lieberman said. "I look forward to working hard six days a week and resting on the seventh."
Event preview
Sen. Joe Lieberman will discuss "Gift of Rest," at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Admission is $16 for non-members and $11 for members. For a complete schedule, visit atlantajcc.org or call 678-812.-4000.
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