In this Facebook age we live in, there's a natural temptation to compare your life to the lives of others. As images of people's mostly positive moments collect on your social media threads, one can wonder if they measure up--it's important to consider the impact of this questioning. How does that play in your life both positively and not so positively?
First of all, we all reflect on images, pictures, words, and stories with our own lens--what we see is, to a large degree who we are, what we have been, and what we believe. What I see is likely not what you see.
Next as we look at those pictures we might compare our own lives to the lives we see. We might react with thoughts such as I wish that were me; I would never do that; thank goodness I don't have to deal with that; or why are they so lucky and so on.
As I consider this today, I am thinking that we can view our Facebook and other social media threads with the following thoughts:;
First of all, we all reflect on images, pictures, words, and stories with our own lens--what we see is, to a large degree who we are, what we have been, and what we believe. What I see is likely not what you see.
Next as we look at those pictures we might compare our own lives to the lives we see. We might react with thoughts such as I wish that were me; I would never do that; thank goodness I don't have to deal with that; or why are they so lucky and so on.
As I consider this today, I am thinking that we can view our Facebook and other social media threads with the following thoughts:;
- I am curious and interested in my friends' and family members' lives, and I am there to celebrate with them and offer consolation and help when needed too.
- All of our lives are on different journeys, and it's best to celebrate that diversity while also establishing a good culture based on our unique beliefs, good fortune, and challenges too.
- We should make sure that we're spending more time on our own lives and pursuits than viewing and wondering about the pursuits and accomplishments of others.
- When we see something that strikes a jealous reaction, we might want to explore that more--if someone has something you wish you had, perhaps that's something you want to build more into your own life, work, and beliefs. Don't ignore those tugs of envy, but instead reflect on them and see where that leads you.
Most of all, it's important that we make the time to consider our paths, our beliefs, our life pulls and pushes and then embrace who we are and who we want to be as individuals, families, communities, and culture.
I will think more on this today. I welcome your thoughts too.
I will think more on this today. I welcome your thoughts too.