It\u2019s good for so many things\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can keep in touch with friends we no longer do life with but wish not to completely disconnect. We can remain still decently hip, learning all the trendy new sayings such as \u201cbussin,\u2019\u201d \u201cbet\u201d or even \u201c6-7.\u201d And if we ever run out of creative ideas in the kitchen, social media can provide us with an endless supply of new recipes for every event and special occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s great information and some sweet, witty content. Personally I\u2019m quite fond of Suzy Karadsheh\u2019s \u201cThe Mediterranean Dish\u201d (love that Mediterranean diet!), <\/em> TJ Therrien\u2019s comedic gold pointing out our distinct birth order quirks, and Melanie Sanders\u2019 hilarious rendition of the ever popular \u201cWe Do Not Care Club.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And yet, such is the same place where many fall prey to the propensity to mindlessly doom scroll, witnessing the carefully curated lives of others, seeing only what they want us to see. Note: it\u2019s not real life; it\u2019s incomplete at best. The pics posted are typically in search most of likes and loves. It is the ultimate comparison environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, too, it\u2019s the place where the rants and raves take place, often political, and there\u2019s rarely actual healthy conversation or any invitation to the diverse thinker; participants are likelier prone to say \u201cI can\u2019t believe you think that way\u2026 and if you really do think that way, then shame on you; you\u2019re not as good of a person as I thought you were.\u201d And just like that even the intelligent justify judging or thinking less of another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then comes the ultimate sign of annoyance, offense and I\u2019ll-show-you. Click. We unfriend as if we are so just and right and the other is not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Egad.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I wouldn\u2019t be authentic if I failed to acknowledge my own missteps. I have spoken when I should have stayed silent. I have argued when I should have instead adopted a position of humility and asked more questions. I have thought I was respectful when the person on the receiving end of me didn\u2019t take it that way. Let me be clear; that onus is on me. I\u2019ve been wrong. I will be wrong again.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So knowing the personally perilous minefield social media can abruptly turn into, what are some wise guidelines? What would be good to practice so that the negatives of social media are minimized? Sometimes it\u2019s like we\u2019re all back in junior high \u2014 just with bigger words and real jobs \u2014 but it\u2019s junior high in that we can\u2019t see the big picture, we\u2019re too focused on self and our own opinion, sometimes just seeking adult attention, and we\u2019re not consistently kind to one another. How could we do better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hence, a few thoughts\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, there are more wise guidelines to our love\/hate relationship. That\u2019s the thing. It\u2019s not all bad; there\u2019s some good stuff on there. But it\u2019s clearly not all good either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s good for so many things\u2026 We can keep in touch with friends we no longer do life with but wish not to completely disconnect. We can remain still decently hip, learning all the trendy new sayings such as \u201cbussin,\u2019\u201d \u201cbet\u201d or even \u201c6-7.\u201d And if we ever run out of creative ideas in the … <\/p>\n\n