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Today I spent time reading blogs and navigating my way around Facebook. I’ve successfully ignored Facebook for ten years, but now its time to get with the program. I searched for and found so many people who are dear to me, but with whom I’ve lost touch. The thing is, my research session quickly deteriorated into an amateur stalking session. I couldn’t help it. I’d search out one person, which would lead to another and another and so forth and so on.
The good news is, everyone is doing well. The bad news is that everyone is doing waaay better than me. Their pages had no pictures of messy rooms or dirty cars. No pictures of little girls running around with wild hair because mom has commitment issues and can’t commit to completing it in one sitting. I saw pictures of delectable desserts and entrees, but not a single 30 minute crock pot dish. In a nutshell, there were no pictures that reflected my life. No worries. It’s okay.
You see, I’ve stopped comparing myself to other people. It’s futile. There was a time when I couldn’t help comparing myself and my circumstances to those around me. Of course, I found many people who were better and just as many who were worse. As a result, I would find myself constantly managing feelings of arrogance on the one hand and insecurity on the other. That’s way too much work. I decided to be content based on who I am, not how I stack up to other people.
I’m a slow learner, but I’m trying to spend my energy finding out who God created me to be. I find that focusing on His plan is much less stressful and yields better results. Each of us is unique and gifted in some way. If we live in the light of that knowledge we’ll have more peace and more joy. So. keep “face booking” just for the fun of it. Be okay with you. There is wonderful freedom in that.
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This is so refreshing and honest, the best thing that I’ve read on the internet today, and believe me , I’ve read it all. Thank-You for sharing Monica.
Wow!! You get an extra check in the mail for that one.
Thanks from my heart.
There were times I felt everyone was doing better than based on what saw on Facebook, but the truth and reality is that people’s lives have the contour of a roller coaster. We are more alike than different. People rarely post their bad pictures or share their down moments online. So we should not judge the book by its cover. Our kids and the youth of the world need to know this too, otherwise they may bexome depressed thinking that others have it all.
Amen! You said it all.
I read an article a couple years back about Facebook helping to fuel insecurities in people. The premise was based on the fact that most often, people don’t intend to put things on Facebook that put themselves in a bad light. The good things are highlighted most of the time. I don’t use Facebook anymore, but I had it for a couple years and I found that the article seemed to hold true on that point.
Following that the article also talked about an increase in depression as a result of folks comparing themselves to others using the lives of their Facebook friends as a measure for their own happiness. I agree with you, comparing yourself to others as a way to determine whether you’re happy or content with your own life is not a great idea. I think if nothing else, individual happiness is a personal journey.
Thanks for your feedback. It means a lot.
Love this blog! It is so true. I have a friend that started a non-profit organization in Africa and God has blessed this ministry far beyond her wildest dreams… however her all-time highest facebook post with the most “likes” was her laundry room brimming with dirty clothes from her family of 8. The truth is that we have almost a comfort in others admitting that they are not perfect…because that is what is relate-able. Keep blogging.
Thanks Kim for your encouraging words. It helps to know others feel the way I do!
Great blog! But note, the people who are “dear” to you, you won’t need to find on facebook.
As always, great point my friend!!