The Positive Social Sharing Experiment

I have a love/hate relationship with Social Media. I am thrilled to have a way to keep in touch with those I love in such a quick, easy fashion. Seeing adorable photo’s brings instant joy and often, oh how I miss them, tears. The hate part comes from all of the negativity right along side of the joy.

In my last article, I wrote of unfriending negativity. Not just with Social Media, but other aspects of life as well.

This article is intended to go a step further. It’s an invitation to start a new trend on all of Social Media of sharing nothing but joyful posts, opinions and photo’s. More in a moment…

I’m focusing on Facebook simply because it’s the one I use most often but, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the like can be just as bad.

Facebook was started in 2004. It’s creators initially wanted a place for all of their “friends” attending Harvard University to be able to connect quickly and easily. Soon, they opened it up to other Ivy League University’s, then every University, next High School; now anyone in the world can join.

What started as a way to connect us has become a way for some to say things online they may not be willing to say to anyone face to face; quite possibly disconnecting us.

Initially I balked at the Facebook trend. I could see the negativity through the lens of my husband’s page. Peer pressure from friends and family won out. I decided I would join, but only as a way to keep in better contact with those I love and to share my ministry on a broader level. I joined the Facebook bandwagon in 2011. Five years later, the negativity seems even more so because of political and social issues.

Full disclosure… I have, in the past, written or posted things I now know I shouldn’t have. I confess I got caught up in the moment a time or more. However, I feel I need to be better at what I write about as well as what I share on Social Media. I want to be part of a solution, not part of a problem. Therefore, I am going to do my absolute best to write, post and share things that bring smiles and positive contemplation.

I shall call this “The Positive Social Sharing Experiment.” Will you join me? It won’t be easy. It’s like biting your tongue cyber style. Feel like hitting that “like” button? Do-Not-Do-It! Want to comment on how wrong a particular article or post is? Resist! Resist! Resist! And oh that pesky “share” button. Nope, not that one either.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline

2 Timothy 1:7

So, how about you? Are you in? Thoughts? Comment below. I’d love to hear your take on the subject.

In His embrace,

Toni