Facebook: Life's Biggest Faux Pas

I was browsing through Facebook one day, reading the comments of my 'friends'--people I rarely, if-ever, see or talk to--and it suddenly hit me like a jolt of lightening or a swift kick to the head. What am I doing at this very moment? I am perusing the lives of folks I barely know, haven't heard from in years, people who really don't know me at all, or just plain get on my nerves with their wanna-be stardom.

I mean...in reality, I could call on only a few--perhaps ten or so--people on my friends list if-ever I had an emergency. Maybe a few of my family members, a couple of close friends...even a new friend or two, might just come if I called for help. Not that I would ever put anyone out; I would call Hubby instead, but it was certainly an eye-opener as I sat there looking at Facebook from an entirely new perspective; coming to one simple conclusion. It's complete garbage and a total waste of time!

Here I was, instead of playing games with my daughter or watching cartoons, instead of working, writing or reading something of real value, I was passing time reading the senseless little comments of people who are not really a part of my life and probably never will be. Something inside of me snapped me out of my FB trance and brought me to a very important...and life-changing, decision. I had to delete my Facebook account; for the good of my world, my children, my marriage, my work, my life and real friendships.

I know many FB advocates may argue that if you use this network for good instead of gossip, you'll be A-Okay. Well, I can't speak for others, but for me...it was a disruption of my life...my 'real' life. Instead of writing my stories and updating my travel-blog, I was writing silly little posts that really mean nothing other than to say "Look at me! Look at me! I have a life worth reading about; that's why I'm sitting here reading about the lives of others and posting stupid stuff myself. Okay! If you say so...!

Either way, I must admit that I have been tempted a few times to log-in to FB, which would instantly re-instate my account and profile, but what would that prove other than I truly am weak? I do believe there are many folks out there who are really addicted to social networks. I came close, but stopped myself before my entire fleet sunk.

You see, as the Captain/Co-Captain of this ship I call my life; I simply couldn't allow that to happen. Life is a one-time chance, not an audition. Happiness and fulfillment of such can't be found through a computer screen, an I-phone, or through any other medium. The choice is up to our own selves--the many sides of who we are--as a real person and not an avatar. The time we spend posting photos of 'everything we do' and comments voicing 'cracker jack wisdom' is a moment we will never again be able to live. Life is an investment, now go out and live it to the fullest. Facebook will still be the same when, if-ever, you choose to return.

UPDATE:

Since the publication of this story, I have chosen to log back-in to FB but limit myself minimally. My reason for this is simple-- When I deactivated my profile, instead of showing 'This account has been deleted/deactivated' it simply appeared to everyone on my lists that I was blocking them.

Lesson learned: sometimes you just gotta go with the flow, but be careful not lose yourself along the way. Like so many things in life, too much of a good thing...usually isn't a good thing.