Sometimes in life we find ourselves in the midst of something we didn’t expect or ask for. Life throws us a punch that we think might just take us to the mat for good.
Maybe it’s a death of a loved one, maybe it’s cancer, maybe it’s a failing marriage, maybe it’s a financial blow, a child with disabilities, or the realization that certain dreams will NEVER come true.
Facebook by its design is more of a highlight reel than a documentary. Most people only post the best and it’s easy to think that someone else’s life is perfect.
Worse, it’s even easier to feel like a loser and like you’ll never catch up. Facebook makes it seem like everyone else is living a Disney story except you. The reality is everyone has a cross to bear. If you aren’t careful these feelings can quickly turn to envy. Here is a great test to see if you suffer with envy on Facebook: Have you ever withheld a “like” from a post?
When do we go overboard with posting pictures or comments about ourselves and become braggarts? How much sharing about myself, my family, and my interests is too much? When do people looking at my timeline start saying, “Wow, this guy really loves himself.” Or, “This guy is his own #1 fan!” I’m not sure there is a hard line to cross, but we all know when someone has crossed it.
Maybe you’re saying, “What’s the big deal about bragging?” I mean, it’s not bragging if it’s true, right? If I really am that good, then I’m just telling the truth. Maybe so but you’re alienating friends in the process. You also can appear insecure like you are trolling for compliments.
One thing I’ve noticed on FB is how often people complain. (And I would like to take a minute and complain about that.) People who complain on FB complain in life too. Your FB status can be a reflection of the status of your heart.
It’s easy to slip into a mode of complaining. It’s not hard to just concentrate on the negative like: How you do all the work and get none of the credit, how it is so stinking cold, gas prices, or poor customer service. I’ve even been wanting to complain about something on FB that has been driving me crazy…pot holes…I’ve even thought of a clever status update like: Colorado has gone to pot and New York has gone to pot holes. (You know that’s good!)
Somewhere along the way a belief has emerged that social media is an effective means of persuasion, especially with hot button issues. At the very least if the platform doesn’t change a mind the user has “taken a stand” in the public square.
More often than not we need to keep the point to ourself to truly make a difference. I recognize that it is so much easier to make a point, shoot–it can even be more fun to use one liners and to share memes. But telling someone they’re wrong is not the same as leading them or inspiring them to do what’s right. (To quote Andy Stanley)
Have you ever cringed when you read something on Facebook? Have you ever felt embarrassed for someone based on what they posted (think workout selfies…what they had for breakfast…a political rant)?
The most dangerous phrase on Facebook is written in the status bar: “What’s on your mind?”
