Social Media

A few weeks ago, in the women's session of General Conference, President Nelson gave 4 challenges to the women of the Church, the first being a 10 day fast from social media and other media that brings negative thoughts or wounds the spirit.  I knew immediately that I would accept the Prophets invitation, but over the course of that 10 days I have pondered much on why that would be the first challenge given.

My social media use has waxed and waned over the years, even going through a time when I had deleted my facebook account.  I recently reactivated by account so as to receive information from my daughters team, all the while vowing I wouldn't spend my time mindlessly scrolling through other pages.  Needless to say, my weakness took over much of the time.  I'd sit down to rest and thoughtlessly open my social media apps and begin wasting time.  How timely this invitation was for me.  As I closed my accounts one last time that Saturday night, I promised the Lord I would give this challenge my whole heart and discover the reasons why I personally needed it.

The prophets second challenge was to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, marking every instance where Christ is mentioned.  I believe that is one reason why the 10 day fast was mentioned first.  The prophet knew that we would need to take away the distractions in our lives, to give our full attention to this invitation, to fully immerse ourselves in being able to feel the Spirit to its fullest.  Over the course of conference weekend it was testified to me over and over again that I needed to rely on the Lord's views, not on man's views.  What better way to learn the Lord's views than by reading His words?  While there are things about social media that are uplifting, even ways of staying informed about the world, I believe the Lord is telling us we need to take a huge step back and learn to rely on Him in everything, first and foremost.  Man's opinions and insights are so limited compared to His.  If He wants us to know something, He will guide us to where we need to go to find that information.

I believe another reason for this challenge was to help us disengage from the shallow and work on the depth of ministering.  I used to think that social media would help me do better at ministering.  I could learn about people and what is going on in their lives, I could connect with them by making comments or "liking" their posts, I could reach a broader audience.  But I realized something.  The Lord's work moved forward, even before the invention of Facebook.  And it was through the guidance of the Spirit that that was able to happen.  Using Facebook, I learned, was an easy out.  I could post an uplifting thought and feel good that I had done my duty.  Where I know this does have it's place, I feel I was missing an important component.  I was forgetting the prayer and the purpose behind it.  Was I praying first to know who needed to feel loved that day?  Was I connecting with individuals on a more personal level?  Instead of a post on Facebook, would a personal text or email be more meaningful, or better yet a visit on their doorstep?  Was I thinking more about the person to be loved, or the item on the checklist needing to be checked off?

When I got back on 10 days later I realized I didn't miss it. As I sat there scrolling I was dissatisfied and so unfulfilled with the time I spent "catching up."  I thought I needed this tool to stay connected with people I loved or people a long distance away.  I thought I needed it to help move my book forward, as the publishers encouraged me to do, by created an author page.  But the truth is, all I need is the Spirit.  He will guide me to those who need me.  If my book is to move forward, the Lord will help me know how to do that in the right way for me.

One thing more than anything that I learned from this conference is that the work is moving forward so quickly, and we don't have time to waste on frivolous things. This thought was not overwhelming to me but instead filled me with excitement.  I want to be a part of it!  I want to be about the Lord's work!  And I believe now is the time to decide if we are going to be on board.  All I know is that I don't want to be held accountable if I have chosen to neglect His work in the pursuit of these frivolous things, when I could have been doing so much more to help my children or others gain a personal relationship with the Savior.

P.S.  I get the irony of my posting this blog link on Social Media. 😜  It is what it is.

I Am Enough

One man wryly wrote: "I would love to run a marathon. I think it would be a great accomplishment. But that's not enough. Oh, I could take my body to the starting line and command it sternly: 'All right body!  Here we go. Twenty-six miles, three hundred eighty-five yards. Do it!'" He chuckle ruefully. "My body would roll on the ground, howling with laughter, and say, 'Who are you talking to, sir?'"

I get a bit of a chuckle when I read this. I picture my body doing the same thing, laughing at me for even thinking that I could run a marathon. After picking my son up from school one day last week, we passed the cross country team practicing. He commented that it seemed like every girl his age liked to run. I, too, have felt those same sentiments. It seems like all the women around my age go running each morning, or have run in numerous marathons. For a long time, I felt there was something wrong with me. Was I missing something?  Was there some inborn desire given to women that said marathons are a right of passage into the next life, and I was deficient in the gene? I had no desire to run and even less of a desire to train for a 26 mile marathon. It was just not on my bucket list.  That didn't mean I didn't go through feelings of inadequacy, though.  Shouldn't I want to achieve something so glorious as training for a marathon? 

This past Saturday I awoke early to participate in a 5K. But not to run. Our local Junior High fine arts program was doing a fundraiser and I had volunteered as photographer. As I milled around the runners prepping to run, I was not in the least bit envious. I was not feeling any feelings of not being good enough either. I am not a runner. I have come to accept that and know it is okay. I am enough just the way I am, having succeeded in so many other areas in life. I was there as a photographer, one who has taken classes, one who has practiced and practiced over the years, one who has purchased the good equipment for task I was to perform.  I have put time and energy and learning into my skill, just like a runner has purchased the right equipment and practiced hours to prepare for running marathons and 5k's.  We are both enough. 

My junior photographer in training

My short message to everyone this week is You Are Enough!  You don't have to be like everyone else.  You have to be like you.  And that is perfect, and enough.