To blog or not to blog? Why do people blog? Why would I attempt to write a blog? I don't know the answer to either of these questions. I know that I completed the 100 Happy Days through Facebook and Instagram and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also know that I find myself on Facebook and/or Instagram WAY TOO MUCH! I get up in the mornings and Facebook is one of the first things I look at. Why is that? Often times when I scroll through the posts, it makes me feel bad. Bad about myself or my life. And why is that? Well, because I am comparing...UGH! Comparing my life to the lives and experiences of others. Doing that is so incredibly TOXIC!!!
I read an article posted by one of my dear students the other day about 5 things we need to stop doing; 5 things that prevent us from experiencing JOY in our lives. Everyone should read this http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/5-habits-sabotage-joy So, the five things that sabotage joy in our lives are comparing, controlling, criticizing, competing, and complaining. Oh my gosh, seriously...this is so true!!! Doing any of those five things will bring you down and truly suck the joy right out of life. And you know what I've realized? That spending my free time scrolling through Facebook, looking at other people's lives makes me do those five joy-sucking things. I compare. I try to compete with others, whether it is mentally or physically; I always think I am not as good as so-and-so or how can do better. I think we should strive for more and challenge ourselves, but not at the expense of making ourselves feel bad. And then I complain....I complain in my head or to my husband about my life. Why am I so ________? Fill in the blank. Why am I so fat, lazy? Why have I not completed my doctorate? Am I stupid? Can I really do this? Why don't I have kids by now? Should my life be different? Should I have more pictures of family? Should I eat better? Why didn't I work out today? Do people like me? Okay, so these are more questions I suppose, but comparing, competing, criticizing, and complaining are all wrapped up in each of these questions.
So, I've realized two big things over the past 100 Happy Days. One, I have SO MUCH to be happy about. I have SO MUCH joy in my life! And two, comparing my life to others does not bring me joy. I have been reading an amazing book about Pope Francis and his leadership style. I am learning a lot about the power of a servant, quiet, thoughtful leader. Being Catholic is one of the things that brings me great JOY! One thing that has really resonated with me from this book is the concept of being in the world, but not of the world. As a Jesuit, Pope Francis lives this out and has taught this concept to many of those he's mentored. So what does it mean to be in the world, but not of the world? I am challenged by that thought. I want my life to positively impact others. I want to make a difference in the world around me. But I do not want to be consumed by greed, materialism, or competition. I want to be happy for those around me and love the life I live!
I'm not really sure any of this makes sense. But to me, somehow in my mind, it does. For myself, for my health and happiness, I am committing to reduce my Facebook time and to focus on the things that bring me joy! That's not to say that my friends and family on Facebook don't bring me joy. It's just that I know being on some form of social media all the time is not good for me. And I am writing this for me. I'm not going to share it with anyone...for now. Just me.
