Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't do it!
Don't start getting so sucked into social media that you start comparing your life to other people's lives -- the parts you see. This does nothing for you or for them. It isn't a fair representation of anything except deceit.
Now, it isn't that people are trying to deceive you (well, some might be) about what they put up on Facebook or Twitter or wherever social media sends them -- but what we see is just a moment in their lives. I truly enjoy being able to see pictures of family and friends and hearing about their lives.
But if you are feeling overwhelmed in your life you might start questioning who you are, the choices you've made, the life you have -- all in a negative way -- when you start seeing happy and exciting pictures of other people's lives.
Your life matters. Your life is a gift. Your life is the perfect life for you.
Maybe you haven't done what others have. Maybe you haven't experienced what others have.
But others haven't done what you've done. Others haven't experienced what you've experienced.
Don't discount your experiences.
Don't discount your life. Staying in one spot -- growing up there, marrying, having kids, working there -- all of that is mighty mighty important. We don't have to have exciting lives to have lives that count. And excitement is like beauty -- in "the eye of the beholder."
What is better than a hug, sharing a meal with someone you love; watching a TV show and laughing with your kids?
God is good. He gives us all gifts.
"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7