Hello, world of blogging. It's been quite a while since we've seen each other. Why have I re-entered this sphere? Recently (as in, about 3 weeks ago) a left the world of Facebook. I'd threatened myself several times in the past that I would, but one evening at Bible study made it official (there's nothing quite like contemplating the Second Coming of Christ that makes you analyze how you spend your time...aren't we to be "redeeming the time because the days are evil"?). You may be wondering how a social media outlet can claim enough time to make one commit to such a resolution. Here's a glimpse at my day with Facebook:
5:15 am - Alarm goes off - roll over
5:30 am - Second alarm goes off - grab phone - check Facebook to "help myself wake up"
7:25 am - Pull into work - text mom and dad - check Facebook - post a status
10:15 am - slow moment at work - check Facebook to see who liked/commented on status - 20 likes, 5 comments (woohoo! Ego boost. They love me).
1:00 pm - Lunch - chat it up a few minutes with coworkers - check Facebook
5:45ish pm - get off work - check Facebook - go to the gym
6:45 pm - finish workout - check FB
7:00 pm - Pull in driveway - check Facebook - post picture (Super cute post-workout selfie [at least they can't smell me]! Omg!)
8:30 pm -eating dinner, chilling with the fam - FB check in (10 comments from girlfriends that make my feel better about myself.)
9:00 pm- try to look at some homework - get bored - check FB
10:30 pm - last check...makes sure I didn't miss anything!!!
Phew! That was exhausting. And I'm sure I left some check-ins out. If you were counting, that's ten checks. If each lasted 5 mins (and trust me, I'm know a few lasted longer than that), that's 50 minutes...that's almost an HOUR of time wasted on meandering through statuses, looking at pictures, looking for that little red bubble letting you know how many people like you.
This is retarted, people. As you can clearly see, I had a problem. So on that faithful Thursday night at Bible study, I threatened myself again. Do I do it? Do I leave the Facebook world with hopes of more time spent in the Word, in prayer, in building relationships? I mean, I did have to look at all of the "good" reasons I was on Facebook. SOoooOOOo much of my social life is dependent on it, right? Or was it? Also, it alerts me with opportunities to serve those around me-- fundraiser for my friend fighting cancer: sign me up. So-and-so need help watching their kids: I'm free. Snack sign up: I've got salty. Susie Mea is having a hard week: I'll pray an extra prayer and let her know I'm thinking about her. So, there were some legitimatly good things about my Facebook account. But with the amount of time I was wasting on it, could I make more effort to be a part of people's life using things like texting, phone calling, asking more intentional questions, being a part of people's ACTUAL lives, not their virtual ones? When talking to a friend about Facebook they summed it up like so: "A time waster, a self glory producer, and a distractor from people around me." Ouch. So, with about 8 girlfriend's surrounding me, I said the words out loud. "Okay, y'all. This is it. I'm getting off Facebook." I appointed Heather (this awesome, funny, Jesus-loving, life-living friend I have) to be my parole officer - in charge of changing my password. I committed to stay off for a year.
Here I am 3ish weeks later. I haven't noticed that my social life has deteriorated one bit. I've found new avenues to help others in need. I no longer think in Facebook statuses. I can actually read a book without thinking after every other sentence, "Oooh! Good quote. Need to post that...or better yet...Instagram this joint, throw a cool effect on it and then post it. Boom." (I know, I know...I have issues). I've had more meaningful conversations sharing what I'm learning...instead of just assuming people read it online. So is this a substitute for Facebook? I think I'd not be telling the entire truth to say that it wasn't. I felt that I was in need of some sort of outlet to spit out my thoughts.....and I find I learn better when I write things out. However, I don't see that I'll be wasting hours of time perusing here, and my following (if any) will be few. I know this sounds particularly selfish, but I think this blog is for me more than anyone else....to get me to think about what the Lord is teaching me...to be able to look back and remember His goodness (why am I so quick to forget?).
I don't know how often I'll write and what my writing will be all about, but I'm here for a while. A year to be precise, maybe longer. I'm praying for more Kingdom-focused living and deeper relationships. This life we live is meant to exalt Christ, not ourselves. This is my goal.
