Two of my friends from UnionBank dared us to stay away from social media this February. I felt it was a good move for me to subtract something for a while and to find that JOMO, or the joy of missing out, is really a joy.
As I often browse through Facebook feeds anytime in the day, of when I wake up at night from a deep sleep-- I found myself harboring little self-pities, aside from cultivating the habit of 'the need to know'. It has been told in "multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts". While as a Christian, I know my foundations are strong, whenever I am drawn to social media during my hard times gives me the anxiety I never thought is cultivating in me.
I started on 31 January. With the usual bets we do whenever we have a deal, I find it easy for me to do it. It's been a day, and since I have deleted the social media, I have more time to do my daily task at work, or take time to read or watch.
I am not drawn to knowing 'more things' or what's happening to friends these days. I am now leaning towards growing under my feet the joy of taking time for myself and to commune all the more with God. Undistracted by the urges to scroll endlessly on Facebook just to pass time.
In this, I am able to write this down again. Taking this journey to self-love, to love other the way I love myself. Not to love others more than myself; and ultimately to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.
First commandment says we are called to love God more than anyone and anything. Secondly, we are asked to love others as thyself. Not more than what we can give to ourselves. As we give grace and compassion to others, we must not neglect to nurture self-compassion and grace. We love others commensurately as loving ourelves.
We are not even called to be dependent on other people to be filled with love they can give, rather, to cherish a love that's from the Lord, lavishing the kind of love that He can only give as He is the source of Love. God is Love. When we experience His love within us-- we begin to love others the way He loves us. The love that overflows from the divine love and not of the love that human can give--always short, not enough, always craving.
I am not againts those with social media as I know to each his own. I just pray that when things are tough, we get attention and re-focus with the Lord and not from earthly, fleeing things.
I started with the book Moments of Grace and wishes to write more of what's been learned from the reading.
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