Thursday, August 27, 2015

Facebook - Part 2

Last week I wrote about removing the facebook app from my phone.

Today I reinstalled it.

Lest you think I'm fickle, read on.

I stand by every statement that I made last week.  I've learned a lot of things in the last week about my interactions with others and time wasters in my life.
1.  Facebook isn't real life.  People can post whatever they want; true or false.  We all know that, but I tended to think that the people I was friends with were better than that.  Eh.  It is what it is.  Everyone, including me, wants others to think/believe good things about them.  That's human nature.

2.  I've spent a lot of time with God this week.  A LOT of time.  Isn't it terrible that the thing that was supposed to bring me closer to people was pulling me away from the thing that matters the most to me.  I've grown so much in my faith this week.  I know that wouldn't have happened had I been on my phone all week.

3. Mean, rude and otherwise obnoxious people on facebook can be ignored.  It's an easy solution.  I was worried that others would think badly about me if I "unfollowed" or "unfriended" them but I've come to realize that it isn't my job to filter all that stuff through my psyche.  I just can't absorb all that junk anymore.

4.  If a person is spending all their time on facebook complaining or manipulating their current situation to garner the most possible exposure/sympathy, then they don't really have your best interests at heart.  True story.  I discovered how true this was this week.  I made it a point to get online and "check" on some friends and family that I hold especially dear.  With only few exceptions, nobody noticed I was gone.  I'm not trying to garner sympathy here, just point out the obvious.  So maybe the random things that I post aren't that important.  And that's ok.  They were random small talk things and don't matter at all.

I've decided to take up writing again.  More than journaling but really writing.  About what exactly, I'm unclear.  I'm searching for direction.  I did put facebook back on my phone.  I was finding it difficult to keep up with community organizations and Bible studies that I'm involved in without it.  I am focusing more on my relationship with God, my family and my home.  I am reconsidering the random posts.

In the end, I'm glad that I was able to realize the amount of crap that facebook was dumping on me.  I think it's a great tool if used wisely.  I imagine that I will have to pace myself a bit, place time limits on writing, not go overboard.  I tend to get one-minded in my obsessions and we have a lot going on.  I hope to be able to write about that in the near future.  If you want, leave suggestions on things you are interested in reading about and I'll see if I have enough wisdom to write about it.  Thanks!

1 comment:

Victoria Stankus said...

Your thoughts on Facebook echo what I have been thinking and feeling this past week as well. We were without my computer for for a few days, so I didn't get on Facebook and I really did not miss it. And, with a few exceptions, I don't think anyone really missed me either. It is important to try and find a balance on where we spend the most amount of our time. Real people and real relationships (including with the Lord) are where I want to focus my time.