One of the most prevalent parts of our lives today is social media. Social media can be used as a positive in many ways: it can increase our access to information, connect us to people and perspectives all over the world, and it has even changed the way we work. However, like any relationship, there are a lot of people who have a toxic relationship with social media. Social media can exacerbate any issues we are facing in our day to day lives and many people use it as an outlet to project or deepen the internalization of the insecurities we face. When we shift our mindset around social media, we can begin to use it as a source of inspiration and possibility as opposed to deepening the wound of the ways in which we believe we lack.
Lens of Criticism
When a consumer lacks emotional intelligence and self-awareness they are putting themselves in a dangerous position. They use the internet as an escape from themselves. They view content through the lens of criticism, whether it be criticism of the creator or criticism of themselves. You may not even realize you're doing it but take a look at your favorite celebrity or influencer and examine your relationship with them. Do you put them on a pedestal? Tell yourself that they’re better than you or wish that you could be more like them? You’re drawn to this person for a reason, but we get so wrapped up in the person speaking that we forget to focus on what they are speaking. They are shining a light on some sort of truth about your life. They are showing you something you want and with a mindset adjustment, something you can have.
"If you point out the moon to a cat, she probably won't look at the sky; she'll come up and stiff your finger...The teaching of the awakened directs us to focus not on the pointing finger, but on the experience of truth itself." -Steve Hagen |
The Doomed Pedestal
We put creators up on a pedestal. Failing to realize that they are humans just as the rest of us. We find entertainment in the rise and fall of others and their platforms, and maybe it is their fault. Maybe they craft a persona where people will see them as perfect, but we are the ones giving them a platform. If you don't like an influencer or celebrity as soon as they make a mistake, that is just showing you your own fear of mistakes. How you treat others is a direct reflection of how you treat yourself. Social media should be used as a source of inspiration. The creators we love, the personalities we love, the songs we love, the movies we love are each a light shining to show us our own desires. When we take focus off of the person sharing, and we shift it to the art they are creating, we can start to learn and grow from our use of social media. Instead of it being used as a distraction, it will be something that propels us into taking action. The people we love to watch will inspire us to find our voice and when they make a mistake we will understand. Our newfound empathy and support will show because we are no longer viewing these people as above us, but instead we are seeing them as a part of our community. Which will in turn make the online space a safer place for all to share their voice.
Social media has brought knowledge and creativity to the forefront of our existence. It has given us the ability to connect with people all over the world, given every person the opportunity to share their voice, and can be a source of inspiration for us all. The creators who take the risk of sharing their creativity and their art should be seen as a call to action, a resonance of truth. We must take the focus off the creator and put the focus on the message they are spreading. When we can see the truth of their words, we can use them to propel us into action in our own lives. We are called to the creators who we resonate with. They are blessing us with a direction we can take and showing us a part of ourselves. It is important to focus on if your mindset around social media is a positive one or if you're using it as distraction or an outlet for your negativity. We all hold the key to our own creativity; the only question is if you're looking for the door or if you're locking yourself out.
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