Choose Positivity

742. that is how many friends i have on facebook, this is even after i cut over 300 people out last september. i use the term "facebook friends" very loosely because there is only a small handful of those 742 people that i have even talked to in the last year, let alone seen and shared life outside of the social media chaos. yet, i spend, literally, hours every day stalking people...reading statuses, looking at pictures, and finding common friendships. its crazy how much people can "know" about you because of facebook...did i mention that i have planned and let my former classmates know about our upcoming 10 year high school reunion all through facebook? CRAZY! one of my closest facebook stalkers, bekah (she is actually a very close friend of mine outside of facebook), and i met in columbus today for a spa day. i love getting together with bekah because no matter what i say or do, she has always loved me. we have been friends for over 5 years and we can talk about everything. today, during our awesome pedis, we were chatting about the things people put on facebook, especially their statuses. she mentioned that she couldnt believe what some people said in their status updates that are too personal, too much information, and usually way too pessimistic. i have thought about this alot lately. i know that facebook statuses are designed to let others know what you are doing or what you are thinking, but have you ever stopped to think about how other people view your updates? those posts are the only thing people see of you...that is what they base their opinion of you as a person. are people seeing you and your blessings or are they seeing you and your problems?

there have been so many days in that last several months where all i want to do is be ticked off...in everything i do. i want to be angry, sad, disappointed, pissed off, etc. sometimes i am, but i have tended to keep that between me and peter, and sometimes a few close friends. heres what i am really trying to say. my life, and charlottes life, is more than just a sad story. i am now living her legacy. charlotte means so much more to me than my pissy moods. i dont want to be a bitter and disappointed person. i have to choose everyday to not display my frustration and negativity on facebook (and other places). i have to ask God to give me joy through this hard time, every day! yes, i get ticked off when "friends" on facebook complain about the stupidest things. i get even more upset when people complain about things with their children (ie. my kid wont eat his peas, my kids did let me take a nap, etc). this is not me calling anyone out. that is where i am in my life...sensitive and trying not to take things personally. but regardless, i am trying to choose positivity which will then come through in all aspects of my life. i am still negative at times, and i will still get upset by people being dumb with their status updates, but i am trying to not let that infuse my life. 

just think about it...what are peoples perceptions of you? what are they based on your statuses??

Romans 5:2b-5 ² And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Proverbs 12:18  ¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

blessings, ALo