I am fascinated by the world of social media and social networking. I love the implications of “tribes” finding each other and connecting around common interests. I love writing too, and this playground gives me lots of opportunities to practice.
At times, however, I wonder if it’s too much juggling: too much checking to see who’s tweeting what, who’s following whom; wondering if it’s time to add more content to my Fan Page on Facebook; getting pulled into a discussion stream on LinkedIn; fussing over the content and photos on this beloved blog to which I am a devoted and passionate contributor.
I’ve gotten pretty good at navigating this world of online communications. Through dogged futzing, I have figured out how to use and add HTML code, photos, banners, applications (apps), click-through buttons. Must be my passion for decorating coming through; my love of making the spaces look more inviting and clutter-free.
But here’s what I’m quickly realizing [see why in the video below]: The technology that has allowed us all to connect with each other for free doesn’t stop, or even wait for us to grock, integrate, and ease into its marvels. It continues to morph and grow at lightening speeds.
So the question is not how do we slow down the freight train? Or quiet the ever-growing noise that these sites produce?
The real question for me personally (who doesn’t like to miss out on anything) is:
- How do I slow down so that I’m not getting lost in the noise and the excitement of “newer and better”?
- At what point do I stop adding more things that need tending and managing?
- At what point is what I’m doing not adding value (i.e. creating more clutter)?
Next time I’m drawn to another social networking site, a nifty feature, a free offer, a fabulous discussion… this is what I’ll be asking myself:
- Does connecting right now serve and support me personally and make my heart sing?
- Does inserting this nifty app, photo, gizmo, banner, click-through button add value (and/or increase my online presence and visibility as a teacher and writer)?
- Will I die if I don’t check my horoscope, find out which Goddess I represent, scroll through the 500 photos of a family vacation?
- Will my life be forever altered if I don’t read every single message that people posted?
- Would it kill me to delete some of the messages that show up in my inbox without reading them first? [Ouch!… noticing a lot of squirming with this one – as my “missing out” button gets royally pressed]
If time management is the issue, I’ll be asking…
- How much time makes sense to allow for this today?
As Seth Godin, blogger and social media extraordinaire, puts it:
If your Facebook circle is draining your energy and not pushing you forward, why, precisely, is it there? If you are spending more than a few minutes a day on Twitter, is it because you can’t stop or because stopping will cost you your goals? Which is more important: a ringing telephone or a unfinished new concept on your screen, waiting for you to type out the rest of it? -Excerpted from “Who Controls Your Media”
If I can’t wrap my brain around any of it in the moment, and I’m feeling totally overwhelmed, I’ll be reaching for my all-purpose antidote – my favorite mantra that helps me come back to center again:
“I choose ease.”
Now try saying it as you watch the short, amazing video below! 😉 Make sure your sound it up too, the music enhances the experience:
” I got myself a rescued land tortoise when I retired and he taught me a wonderful grounded slower pace. Always have been grateful to him. Look to nature!” –Sandy M.
Loved this comment from Sandy on my Facebook Page which I’m sharing here.
Messengers like Stephanie and others are trying to help us remember how to listen to our spiritual selves, not just click a techno toy to social network. In all of this social media connection, how do people remember to connect to the Divine within? We are designed to connect within as well as externally. If we keep multiplying our distractions, Inner listening will be a forgotten skill, yet it is a key survival skill. Mother nature is showing us that She is in charge of the planet now, not our technology, which would not help us for very long once the batteries run out in the middle of a volcano eruption, an earthquake, a flood or a storm. Only our ability to perceive the small, subtle guidance within our hearts and the ability to communicate heart to heart, not just “gadget to gadget” will help us survive and thrive during these times of Earth’s transformation. Elizabeth Emerson
Oooohhh, this is so gorgeous, Elizabeth!
Thank you for your beautiful comment and the reminder about inner listening as a key survival skill.
The true “app” comes built in… from within! No batteries needed. 😉 How cool is that!!
They key is to ask ourselves if the time spent enriches us or is it an escape? Are we mindlessly unaware of what we are doing? And to also remember to be enriched by real people, real natural beauty, and real life events. Like Elizabeth said, “heart to heart.”
Like all things that have a potential for great good, there is also a potential detriment. Many of life’s blessings and gifts (food, love-making, and more) get all twisted around somehow and become something that does not nourish us.
Thank you to Stephanie, Seth, Erik, Sandy, and Elizabeth for helping keep an awareness of what we are doing.