Lifelore

I have wanted to write this blog post for quite a while but haven’t known exactly how to put my thoughts into words. It is about Social Media. It seems that everyone has a different reason for using it or not using it.

I absolutely love Facebook. It is a way to keep in touch with family and friends that you do not see on a regular basis. It is also a great way to pray for people instantly when you see their need, or to have people pray for you when you have a need. I have also found it to be very helpful in getting to know people better.

I have noticed in my years of using Facebook that there is a group of people who are only on it for themselves and their handpicked clique. They are the “lurkers” who are curious about your life but who NEVER comment or like anything at all of yours. The most frustrating part of this is that you see them liking and commenting on other people’s statuses all the time. It just depends on who you are as to who they show an interest in. Most of the time I am reading posts and looking at pictures and “liking” things even before I notice who posted it, simply because I enjoy the post and want to be an encouragement. For some, it seems that they look at the poster’s name first and decided if that person is worthy of their like or comment.

I will be honest, this has really brought me down in the past. Real life is full of cliques and now we see them on Social Media, too. I have even been so frustrated in the past that I have thought about deleting my account. Then I remember why I am on and I change my mind. I am on for others. I want to support and encourage my friends whether they are online or in real life. I want them to know that I care about what is going on in their lives. The thing that I have to remind myself is that I still need to be “me”. If I let other people bring me down and change how I respond, then I am no longer living up to the person that I want to be. Sure, I still get frustrated, but that is when I need to take a step back and re-evaluate who I am and remind myself of what kind of impact I want to have on others.

One thing that I have learned through the years, is that I can’t control other people. I can only control myself and how I respond. I love the quote that says, “You don’t meet people by accident. There’s always a reason. A lesson or a blessing.” Just as this applies to physically meeting people in real life, it definitely qualifies as true for people online, also. I will continue to seek out and appreciate the blessings. I will also appreciate the lessons as they show me what I do not want to become.

Life is about relationships, both online and in reality. It is about impacting others and allowing them to impact us. The positive and negative impacts help us to become better people. My goal is to not become angry, hurt, or bitter over who likes or doesn’t like things in my real life or online. I want to appreciate the ones that do show an interest and who encourage me. Focusing on those positive influences is a huge “game changer” and leads to a much happier experience, whether through the computer or in the flesh.

So if you are like me and sometimes feel outside of the Social Media Clique, know that you aren’t alone. Keep your chin up and continue to be “you” and don’t give the “lurkers” another thought. When you focus on the positives, there isn’t much room left for the negatives.

Written by Kathryn Conrad