SOCIAL MEDIA

At a time when social media has shrunk the world, and one can not only hold conversations with friends and family at the press of a button but one can see them, I find it strange that so many in my country still do not utilize the same. In their fear or resistance to progress, I believe they lose out on a lot. As with anything else one has to limit the amount of time one spends on social media as it is very easy to become addicted. I for example permit myself ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening on WhatsApp and thirty minutes to an hour a day on Facebook where I have a motivational page. Life happens right where I am so I cannot afford to miss out on an opportunity that may arise right where I am. Also, I have to work. I do not depend on a paycheque at month-end.

It is on social media that many of us are enlightened of occurrences throughout the world long before many who await the newspaper in the morning. In this fast-paced world it is also where we share motivation and receive inspiration. I recall when a person in South Africa set up a Facebook Page requesting people not to throw away their bottled water bottles but to refill same with tap water and drop them off at a specific place. Millions of liters of water bottles were dropped off and transport companies assisted in delivering the water to areas where people had not had water in weeks. It is also on social media where we watch videos of people assisting communities, twice weekly by teaching the youth to play one instrument or another thus taking them off the streets. We observe boxing clubs opening up their gyms to underprivileged children whom they feed twice weekly and where children are taught manners and restraint besides boxing skills. Many think one has to have lots of money to do this, but through social media compassionate caring people all work together towards making a difference in the lives of others. These sorts of gestures replenish our belief in mankind. Those of us who watch such videos still believe in “miracles” for we see them. Justin Bieber’s mother posted him singing on uTube and that is how he reached the level he is at today. When one is not upbeat there is always something amusing to read about which then uplifts one for the day and puts a smile on one’s face every time one thinks about the joke or amusing update.

One has to become vigilant when on social networks for opportunists exist everywhere. One cannot be totally trusting of people one has not physically met or one does not know. I have been fortunate enough to re-connect with people I schooled with. I have also met numerous people whom I have befriended and now treat as family for the past six years. Certain people I know have even met their present spouses on social media. However one has to be careful not to “believe” everything people post on social media. Many tend to paint their lives as perfect and one should not ever compare their own lives to others. We have to remember to remain real. It is also easy to become addicted to getting “Likes” on pictures one posts and one can very easily get depressed if they do not get as many “Likes” as another. This is why I say it is important for one to validate themselves and not to depend on validation outside of themselves. It is also important not to divulge too much about one for that will give others a platform to talk about one’s personal life.

Many try to con people out of funds by stating that they are investment advisors or that they have laptops and telephones or other gifts to send if only that person could send them the money to pay the courier. There are also false profile pictures so one has to do a “search” before “accepting people as friends.” Remain mindful. Those fancy vehicles you see in those pictures do not belong to the majority of those people. They were taken at a car show or showroom.

When I receive communication from any person I Google them. If they appear I can then decide what sort of person they are by their “updates.” If a person constantly hounds one, demands immediate attention, and even becomes aggressive when one does not respond, then to me that is a sign of an insecure desperate person. The youth today believe they can sweet talk people out of their money. All they desire is to “catch some rich person” to provide for their material needs instead of them creating respectable and responsible ways of earning a living. Life is all about choices and possibilities. You decide.

Thank you for stopping by to read my Blog.

I share because I care.

Love always, kisses, hugs