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Thankful: a note

Thank you, Boyfriend.

For casually pointing out the fact of how easy it is to "like" something online. It made me think...

It doesn't take any personal sacrifice or investment to click that like button on Facebook, or, easier yet, to double tap that picture on Instagram.  You don't even have to really like it too much to "like" it.
Through the reminder of that, I've had to check myself and in doing that, I realize that I place too much stock and self-value in what other people think.  Not to mention what value people place on me through the clicking of a button on the computer. 

How many times a day do I pull down that notification tab, (but it really reminds me more of a window blind) hoping to see that somebody liked my instagram post?  And that little thrill I get when I see that someone did like a post or that my blog has such and such pageviews - should that be so important to me?  I don't think so.
Facebook can be a great tool.
Instagram can be a convenient artistic outlet.
You all know I love blogging.

But the number of people that like a picture or visit my blog is just that: the number of people that like a picture or visit my blog. Not less, but not more either. 
It's not my social rating.  It's not how many people would take a bullet for me.
It's a picture.  It's a url.
Maybe more than say, 11 people would take a bullet for me (although thats a pretty big deal).  But  (let's be real) probably less than the average number of likes on an ig picture would be so willing to risk their life for me.
The point is, a picture like does not mean that they care about me all that much.  And vice versa- not liking a picture doesn't mean they don't like me.
Really, what I'm saying speaks to a much more deep and wide issue of our society giving the cyber world a much bigger amount of trust than is probably wise.  But in order to not get too negative and in-depth, I'll just stop at this observation I see and don't like in myself.

The other night, I went to a little class at my church on the fear of man.  There was a lot of good things said but the biggest things I left with were these:
A) know the difference between what you want and what you need
B) train your mind to not confuse those things
C) if you don't, you'll be disappointed

If I'm looking to Instagram to fulfill my want (mistaken for a need) for human acceptance, I'm just going to end up dissapointed.

I wouldn't say I have slipped into the trap of internet life taking over my real life, but if I'm not careful, way too much of my heart will be found on the web, and not where I really live.  So I'm thankful for the reminder.

Thanks again,
Anna

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