What’s on your mind?
“Just slayed 24 dragons while riding side-saddle on my rainbow-coloured unicorn only to come home and realize I’ve won both the lottery and a new Mercedes Benz which I’m going to take for a spin later this afternoon in the Amazon”
Facebook can set very false realities.
Just because it’s written and may be mildly plausible by the fact that it has an accompanying picture to verify it doesn’t mean that what is being portrayed is actually real.
In fact, many of the lives portrayed on Facebook is an embellishment of the truth in some way or another.
Unfortunately we take everything we see on Facebook at face-value, and in doing this we fail to see just how amazing our lives could be or are because we’re too busy comparing it to strangers’ perceived lives on a newsfeed.
It is a fact that people portray themselves in a more positive, successful, and stylized way online. It explains why we spend countless minutes trying to capture the perfect ‘selfie’ to set as our profile picture, why we let everyone know that we’re dining and drinking champagne at a 5-star restaurant, why we set positive, inspiring quotes as our cover photos, and invest more time in establishing relationships via an online text box than in real face to face communication. It’s easy, it’s socially acceptable, and no one can really know the truth that you took over 50 photos of that same picture before you found the one that didn’t make your eyes look squinty, that 5-star restaurant you were at was due to a sponsored-work function and all beverages were paid for, you don’t actually know who uttered the phrase “All our dreams can come true-if we have the courage to pursue them” (Walt Disney, in case you’re wondering!), and that ‘friend’ who’s been posting funny photos on your wall hasn’t seen you in 6 months.
It is true that social media has become intrinsic to our feelings of self-worth and acceptance.
Hands up – or ‘thumbs up’! – if you ever felt slightly deflated that a photo you posted of yourself only got a couple of ‘likes’? Or that witty statement you made didn’t generate any comments?
When you think about it, basing our self-worth and the construction of our own identity on a ‘fake world’ is ridiculous. In fact, it is making a mockery of you and how fabulous you actually are. You do not need a pixelated portal to tell you that. You do not need a hundred ‘likes’ to confirm that you’re a cool person. You don’t need the acceptance of these ‘friends’ to make you feel popular or respected.
In fact, the only way you will gain respect and happiness within yourself is by continuing to live a fabulous life outside of Facebook.
Sure, if you happen to win the lottery and take a tour to the Amazon then by all means, share that little nugget of magnificence on your wall. But first, be sure that you’re enjoying the moment you’re actually in as opposed to wasting time you could be enjoying by trying to make it sound enjoyable on Facebook.
I think we’re all guilty of the “Fakebook Phenomena.” Society, individually and collectively, just want to be accepted. And for most of us the only tangible, likely way to get this is by making us seem or appear amazing, popular, funny, and liked, online.
This story about a person who felt rejected on Facebook is a wonderful example of how most of us have felt at one point or another, and defines our drive for acceptance – even if it is marked by a ‘like’ or a ‘poke’.
At the end of the day what’s most important is by learning to let others – and yourself – love you for your entirety; not just the positive bits. People can smell fake from a mile away, and let’s face it, no one’s life (or hair) is ever that perfect 100% of the time.
The only person you should be trying to impress is yourself.
So today I give you the challenge of refraining from posting about that amazing cruise you went on or that delicious burger you consumed and instead focus on enjoying every minute of your real life. Basque in that sunshine, breathe in that clean air, and live the best life that God intended for you on the only screen that matters – real life.
YOUNG CHRISTIAN WORKERS 
Nice post.