How To Use The Internet Without Going Crazy

So, spinach rhymes with “finich”.

I know this because, in an expected turn of events, I found myself playing “Popeye The Sailor Man” on the piano last night. My evening playlist also included “My Heart Will Go On”. I played and sang and cackled like a crazy person.

This is what happens when I spend too much time online.

After hours of seeing angry political  posts, arguments about theology and outrage over, well, everything, the only cure was an overdone Celine Dion song and an old television theme song that used the made-up word, “finich” to rhyme with “spinach”.

Do you wonder if it’s possible to use the internet without losing your mind?

A Trend That’s Making Us Crazy

There’s a trend I’ve seen that’s troubling. Online communication is becoming more and more divisive. We’re losing the ability to be kind to people. We try to dress it up with claims that we’re simply being honest about our convictions.

Everything is black and white. No room for gray.

You’re with me or you’re against me.

Permission to Filter

I recently wrote about fighting against cynicism. I’ve found I’m more susceptible to unhealthy negativity when listening to negative voices online. If I roll over, pick up my phone and scroll through my newsfeeds first thing in the morning, the tone of my day can easily be set by the collective attitude of the posts of people I follow.

Why would I follow people who are constantly negative, angry and feel the need to point out all the shortcomings of people and things that I love?

Prophetic voices are important, but not everyone with a loud voice and an opinion is speaking on God’s behalf. There’s a tension in being careful to not just surround yourself with people who believe like you do while keeping out unnecessary drama. We have to work hard to get that right.

Choose Wisely

I’m willing to have my thinking challenged, but I get to choose who does that in the space I occupy online.

This is what it looks like in regard to what I’m making room for online right now:

No more giving time to voices that aren’t speaking from a place of love.

No more filling my newsfeed with constant outrage denigrating people with differing opinions.

No more disrespectful, conversations that are filled with pride and disdain.

Philippians 4:8- “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.”

How About You?

Who do you follow that encourages you?   Do you need to stop following some people that make you crazy? Maybe you need to make a change before you find yourself doing crazy things like singing Celine Dion songs with an out of tune piano.

P.S. No offense to those of you who love Celine Dion 🙂

 

Related articles:

Breaking Up With Cynicism

Social Media Goals For A  New Year

Three Things You Can Do To Make Social Media Great Again

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