Do you remember when “social media” was just a place to share things about your life that made you happy, and it didn’t matter what you posted or the amount of likes or comments you got, or the number of views you have on a video? Man that feels such a long time ago. This day in age we feel that we are having to post certain things on our social media just to prove that we did something that day and if there’s no picture, it never happened. Another thing I noticed about social media is how polished other people’s accounts are. We tend to post all the good things we encounter throughout our day, but we don’t post about when we’re bunged up with a cold on the sofa or feeling too anxious to leave the house. We are less likely to post about the fact we failed an exam or didn’t get the job. It looks nice on the surface, but it’s damaging deep down. Social validation from strangers has become a focus for our society. People are looking at the likes on their photos, checking for views on their stories and hoping to hit a certain number of followers to feel like they’ve “made it”. Isn’t that sad? In all honesty, I fall victim to that all the time. I get so caught up in social media that I don’t focus on the present moments I am missing. Sometimes I think “why are we creating this other world full of judgment and negativity?” We already have a world like that, so why do we feel like we need to create another? I believe that posting pictures of your achievements to prove a point is in fact, pointless. Those that love you and care for you will share in your success and support you during the bad times regardless of anything you posted. Ponder on this: what impact does that follower from another side of the country or someone you haven’t spoken to since school have on your life? Exactly. 

This past month I have been trying to focus on living in the present and being grateful for everything I have in my life. With that, I have been trying to stay off of my phone as much as possible, and here is what I’ve learned. We only get this moment ONCE. We will never get this moment back again. Our lives are no Back To the Future movie. This is why I am learning to appreciate life and being grateful for everything I have right now. I want to use every second that God has blessed me with to do something meaningful and useful. I want to take advantage of every second and be so in the moment that I forget what the social media world is. So with that said, I just want us all to live in this moment right now. If you are feeling happy or sad, or whatever feeling you are feeling, live in that feeling, whether it’s a good feeling or a bad one, you live in that feeling because that’s the only feeling you get to live in right now. Now I want us all to take this time to think about what you are grateful for. Text your friends and let them know how much they mean to you. Or better yet, call them. If you are risky enough, tell them in person. Live your best life today. If you still have a pulse, God still has a purpose for you. 

Keep your head held high, post that beautiful selfie with your friends – or don’t. No matter what you do, you can never please everyone. This world has a lot of views and opinions so just focus on what matters in your life. God is greater than this world, and He will give you greater peace than this world could ever give you.

Love,

Em