The REAL Picture
18 Friday Mar 2016
Written by Michelle in Living your Purpose, Thoughts on everything
Tags
Authenticity, blessings, Genuine, getting through life, honoring yourself, imperfection, Instagram, Personal Development, Reality Social Media, Value the NOW
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The REAL Picture
There’s a lot of information in the webosphere and a lot of should do’s and should be’s. It’s almost like we’re being told how to live a life; like we wouldn’t otherwise know how! It’s easy to get the impression you’re not cool enough, clever enough or happy enough. Hmmm….let me tell you –
There isn’t only one way to live and there’s certainly not only one “right” way (click to Tweet). People will try to control you by telling you so – think organized religion and retail marketers. I guess there are some “wrong” 
ways to live – but none of us here are encumbered by such poor behaviour and devious deeds, right? Sure, occasionally we stumble, that’s why I write and you read it – we share little human foibles – but nothing serious, nothing, ahem, pathological – right? Sure, it’s right. I have the utmost faith in you.
I stumbled upon this hysterical video about “Instagram Husbands.” These guys are enlisted to make their wives look good on social media. They help their ladies chronicle their lives – showing how much fun they’re having together. Watch it here….
You can see it’s not the REAL picture. At least not in the eyes of the Instagram husbands. And, yes, there is an actual website for the husbands. <sigh> It’s so not real. There take multiple shots and psssst….Instagram has FILTERS!
This video got me thinking….
What we see on social media and read in blogs is….get ready for it…not always reality. I try to stay true to life here on the blog, as I fall on the sword for the epic fails of all mankind (perhaps a slight exaggeration rendering me in a rather hypocritical light). I think it’s important that we share concerns about our human condition, and we don’t give these concerns so much power they define us. On the interswebs we see the best and the worst. A lot of what we see is the best. The best way to make a beautiful cake, the best way to lose weight, the best way to dress, the best wedding, the best way to raise children, the best (it’s a s-t-r-e-t-c-h) candidate. All of it is edited and editorialized to some extent, some of it, simply fabricated.
Most likely, the examples you see are not totally genuine. That’s right – Internet life is photo-shopped! (click to Tweet). It’s a staged, corrective make-up, Kardashian, plastic, fakey-fake fiasco! It’s shallow. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Don’t despair. Your job is not to lap it up like an obedient poodle, your job is to dig like a hound and ferret out the roots of truth – at least what’s true for you.
You have this one glorious, beautiful life. How much of it are you spending on the stage props that don’t matter? How about cultivating qualities that matter, that change people’s days and maybe their lives?
How about planting the seeds of generosity, respect, honesty, 
achievement, understanding, encouragement, compassion and love? How about we spend a little time practicing mindfulness? Instead of being worried about what’s going on with our phones, let’s tend to what’s going on with our LIVES…real flesh. (click to Tweet). And make it good…damn good. You’ve got some great tools in your box – USE THEM!
There’s a time and place for everything, and I really do value social media. I’ve met interesting and wonderful people through its pages. It’s fun to share and laugh and watch. But, when we give it too much credence, we run the risk of blurring the lines between what’s “maybe real” and the value we could bring to one another by sharing our energy and authentic gifts. Sorry, but too many cats in boxes can’t be good for anyone. (Reply Subject Line: “Hate Mail”). At the end of the day, let’s not forget the value of our values and sharing them with others in the here and now.
Rather than sharing what looks good, let’s share what IS good (click to Tweet),
Michelle Andres is a writer and artist 
who cultivates her own Well Lived Life by drinking in the beauty around her, following her passion, respecting others and doing her best to own her own dookie.
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16 Comments
March 18, 2016 at 6:05 pm
HaHa, no hate mail! I’m a dog person! Woof Woof!
That video is hilarious! I also value social media but, some people do get so drawn in that it can cause them to 2nd guess themselves and their lives. I have a couple of nieces (young women in their 20’s to 30’s) that can’t be on social media much, if at all because it really messes with their body image and self esteem.
It can also be fun and productive!
Good blog post, Michelle! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Thanks, Lala. The comparisons are sad and misleading. I hope they are enjoying their lives outside of social media. Thanks for chiming in! ~m
March 18, 2016 at 6:36 pm
I am so with you on this. I do get tired of the image management I see all the time on FB and how it preys on the insecurities of others. But doing good? yes. Love.
March 18, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Well, Carol, that settles it. MORE GOOD!!! Thanks for reading! ~m
March 18, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Wow, it’s so sad. I know it’s a spoof, but there’s quite a bit of truth to it. I’m so glad I’m over 60 and don’t have to be part of this. The saddest thing is, the ones who should read this won’t, and even if they do, they won’t get it. Thanks for sharing the video.
March 18, 2016 at 10:50 pm
It seems we don’t always know what we’re missing, Marilyn…we just know something isn’t right. Hopefully, there will be a movement to get back to real life in the near future.
March 18, 2016 at 10:13 pm
Well said. It is so easy to feel your own life is boring compared to all the wonderful things people appear to be doing on social media.
March 18, 2016 at 10:51 pm
“Appear” being the operative word, Susan. Thank you for your comment. 🙂
March 20, 2016 at 1:38 pm
An interesting topic. As humans we have a tendency to compare our lives to the lives of others. I wonder if this has now been enhanced. Do we now compare with lives that are not even real. Something to ponder isn’t it. Thank you for the thought provoking post.
March 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm
I’m sure we’re comparing to things that aren’t real and have been for some time now, Kama. Our lives would likely be richer if we were able to appreciate the gifts we’ve been given as uniquely ours. I’m sure, it’s easier said than done. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ~m
March 22, 2016 at 11:15 pm
I loved that Instagram husbands video. It was hilarious. My family and I turned out all the lights the other night for Earth Hour. It was just one hour with no lights, no tv, no technology… it was wonderful!!! I loved it and want to do it again, a lot.
March 22, 2016 at 11:49 pm
Yay for Earth Day! Yay for unplugging! I know some people do it on a regular basis – sounds like a fabulous idea! Thanks, Amy!
March 23, 2016 at 2:12 am
Thanks for the thoughtful and thought-provoking post, Michelle. The video you shared was funny and sad at the same time (in its lampoon on so many people’s reality). Frankly, I don’t get the social media craze. I have friends and clients who are tuned in all the time but wonder how they suffer from the addiction. There are great things to gain from social media, in moderation. It’s sad so many don’t see being a slave to a cell phone as silly.
March 24, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Nanette, I think there’s a serious device addiction in our world. People are increasingly more interested in what they could be missing than what they’re actually doing. I’ve written about it multiple times, and must admit, I am not immune. It will be fascinating, though I’m sure concerning and sad, to watch it unfold. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ~m
March 24, 2016 at 4:10 pm
Great post Michelle! I really like your questions. How about spending time practicing a little mindfulness? How about cultivating qualities that matter, that change people’s days and maybe their lives? These are thought provoking questions and I plan to journal about them. Thanks for the prompt, Michelle!
March 24, 2016 at 9:26 pm
You are so welcome, Nancy. I hope it takes you to rich places…where the streets are paved with gold, perhaps. When you get there, send me a map! 😉