Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Unplug... a Little?

I have had a Facebook account for several years now.  When I first set it up, it was the "alternative" to MySpace, which was sooooo yesterday.  All the "cool kids" were on Facebook. It was a way to connect to friends, reconnect with old ones, make new ones. Share your lives with family who may not otherwise be privy to your day to days.  It was a place to share jokes, pictures, life and support one another.  At least that is what I remember.  Today, my news feed proved drastically otherwise.

Today, in one tiny stretch of a news feed, I saw graphic bloody pictures of abused animals, photos and discussion of infant children being put in situations that I can only describe as horrific, angry and hateful political speech, religious condemnation, and downright raciest behavior.  Needless to say, I was in the short, taken aback... more accurately downright disgusted.

I have resisted the urge several times to post political, religious, social, or otherwise.  I just don't feel that social media is the place for that.  I am pretty sure I am in the minority. I would get so frustrated when I saw friendships or family relationships crumble because of a political rant, or simply a "like" that the other may not.  I could not understand how some people could take something so (in my mind) trivial, and make it the catalyst for destruction of relationships.  I have also resisted the urge to BEG others to not use that internet site as a soapbox, because I saw what it had the power to do. Again, I believe I'm in the minority. 

I have to say, that I truly do understand how they might see it as valuable to share that kind of information, in the hopes of spreading awareness, or challenging someone else's thoughts... but it has been my limited experience that there are very very few things that you can change someone's mind on, and religious or political views are definitely not on that short list. I applaud them for having the desire and strength to fight for a cause.  I support their every right to do so, and do say feel think believe HOWEVER they wish.  I encourage the sharing of thoughts. I have always known that I have a choice in whether or not I participate in that exchange.  I feel grateful for having that awareness. 

But, today, I came to another awareness.  Not only do I have a choice to participate... I have a choice as to whether or not I allow my mind to be filled with that stuff.  I was spending a part of every morning reading those posts and feeling my heart break a little more, or getting so frustrated I had to turn it off to avoid comment.  BUT, I have a choice whether or not I even see the image of that dog, or the article about the dead babies.  I don't have to read your rant about your religious intolerance or your violent hatred for someone unlike yourself.  I can unplug. That is my choice.

I realize the irony of the fact that I am BLOGGING about unplugging.  I realize that while it is a really nice notion, I don't believe I have the commitment or the discipline to do so in entirety. But, I am sure as hell going to try to make a little change in my life. The moment I read a post about how irritating it is to see all the "pathetic" comments about people's kids, I realized, "This is not for me anymore. This does not speak to my truth, to my values, to who I am." When the posts about the joy and love in life are ridiculed and passed over to make room for one more rant about how your thinking is the only thinking, I have to step back and evaluate.

I chose to fill my mind with love and joy I know bad things happen. I know there is evil in the world. And trust me, if I don't see that from Facebook, I am sure to get it from somewhere else... I don't believe anyone has the ability to "bury there head in the sand" these days, not that this is my intention. I sure can limit my exposure though. I can focus on the good. I can go outside with my babies, enjoy the day and the world! And you know what, that's exactly what I'm gonna do! I challenge you to do the same.

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