Social Media

 How Much Is Too Much

Last night I overhear a little girl talking to her friend on the bus. She was saying how much she wanted to go to sleep over camp so she could take pictures to post on Facebook and Instagram. What struck me was not the fact that she wanted to do this but rather how earnest she seemed about it as it was the most import thing in the world. I had to smile.

On deeper reflection I couldn’t help thinking that there are so many adults who like this little girl posting on Facebook and Instagram is a very serious matter. They eat, live, sleep and breathe for the moment they post something and get the likes and comments. For some it is almost like an obsession a fix to get them through the day. The trouble is these people often put too much of their lives on public display. While others encourage them (Many of whom ironically, keep their own lives private) it is not necessarily a good thing.

Identity theft is a major problem and just because it hasn’t happened to you yet doesn’t mean it can’t happen. People don’t have to know where you shop what you bought and what expensive gifts you got. Don’t broadcast to the world when we you going on vacation where you are going and how long you will be staying. Robbers love to know all this information. Remember if you do not enable your privacy settings it means everyone can see all of what you post. Sharing does not mean the world has to know everything about you!

Remember

“Whenever you find yourself
doubting how far you can go,
just remember how far you have come.
Remember everything you have faced,
all the battles you have won,
and all the fears you have overcome.”

Author Unknown

R.I.P Robin Williams

 

We did not understand your pain
or the demons that you fought,
But when you went away
Somehow it broke our hearts.
We remember all the good times,
And the way you made us laugh,
Memories of you will forever live
indelible in our hearts.
Gone too soon but you will never be forgotten,
May you find peace in death
That you did not have in life.

Death of Robin Williams

Today we continue to mourn the death of Robin Williams. It is believed that the actor may have committed suicide. I for one was saddened and shocked by the news of his death. He was a great actor and such a comedian. He was able to make so many of us smile and we will always remember those moments.  His death however drives home some serious truths – Success does not guarantee happiness. It does not automatically give you a life devoid of problems. It also emphasizes the importance of paying closer attention to our loved ones who are having problems and never assume that they will never take their lives. Let us all play our part to help prevent suicide.

I hope the press will not delve too deep in his private life just to make sensational news.  Instead let us all remember the Robin Williams we all knew, the man who entertained us and made us smile.

Gone too soon, but we will always remember you. Perhaps you didn’t know it but you were dearly loved. The demons that you fought you will have to fight no more. Enjoy your sleep and may your soul Rest In Peace.

Enough of the Stupid Challenges

One Fool is Enough

There are all different types of challenges taking the internet by storm. Most of them are started by people who don’t have much of a brain and of course those who are easily influenced try to replicate without giving any thought of their own well-being. Below are some of the popular challenges.

1. The Cinnamon Challenge
This is one of the challenge seen in many YouTube videos. The individual swallows a spoonful of cinnamon without any water. The challenge have sent people to the ER. Some of the complications associated with this challenge are choking, throat irritation, breathing trouble and even collapsed lungs.
 
2. The Fire Challenge
In this challenge the individual pours a flammable substance over his or her body and then sets it ablaze. To date there is one reported death due to this challenge.
 
3. The Pass Out Challenge
This challenge is one in which one participant cuts off the other oxygen supply until the person become unconscious. The individual  then revives the one passed out.  So far there are two deaths linked to this challenge.
 
The internet is a great piece of technology when used wisely. Always remember it is people who make these videos and not everyone is smart. If someone does something foolish and life threatening why try to replicate. It is no joke when stupidity is the cause of your death.
 
 

Things that Make you Wonder

If Animals Could Talk

 

 

If animals could talk would it be great thing or would it just create more confusion. What if you con converse with you dog or your cat and have them answer you back. Animals are smart I think at times they understand us more than we understand them. What if they could tell us how they feel. Can you imagine what a world it would be if animals start telling humans what to do.

Images FromThe Bronx Zoo

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Images captured at the Bronx Zoo.

 

 

Things To Ponder

Are You Saved?

Has anyone ever said to you – “Are you saved?” People often ask that question. Many puffed up by their own self-righteousness will say “I am glad I am not in the world” – meaning they are not living a Godless life as they believe others are doing. Others will say “I am saved” – but are they really saved?

My take on this issue may be a little controversial but I believe that if it was up to man to decide whether or not they are saved from the wrath of hell there would be no need for Christ to return to judge mankind. There would be no need for a day of reckoning.

Many idea of Christianity is getting baptized and attending church religiously. In their minds as long as they love God and serve him that is enough. It is no wonder that so many fail the greatest test of all – that of loving one another. We declare we love a God that we cannot see and hate the people around us that we can see. Even his words have no bearing on us because Christ said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Many ignore and neglect the poor in their church communities while the pastors grow rich. They refuse the beggar a dollar while giving pastors hundreds. Pastors often justify the fact that they live in million dollar homes by saying it is God’s desire for them to have wealth. But didn’t He say ‘By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made? I do not believe it is God’s will for man to have wealth by acquiring money in His name and then using it for personal enrichment.

There are pastors who own private planes which cost millions of dollars their excuse is the need to travel in order to spread the word of God. Show me a ministry whose purpose is not just teaching the word of God but using the money they collect in the name of God to help others and there you will see a ministry that is actually doing the will of God.

Let us try to do his will so we are not left standing at the gates and hear the words depart from me for I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. We must change our focus from giving to those who already have and instead help  those in need.

What we must question is not whether or not we are saved but rather have we done enough to enter the Kingdom of God.

Peace and War

 

I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist.
I am willing to fight for peace.
Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.

Albert Einstein

I find this quote to be true. We  will never have peace until men and women of every
nation refuse to go to war. Will such a day ever come? For me to believe that would mean
I am living in a fool’s paradise!

 

Things to Ponder

Ants


Image credit Wikipedia.org

Ants are tiny creatures but amazingly they have the ability to move things more than ten times their size.
How are they able to do this? The answer is simple, they work together in unity.
They are industrious workers who will try relentlessly until they get the job done.
If you look at an ant hill you will realize how organized these creatures are.
Be careful not to disturb that anthill because it is not one ant that you will have to deal with.
They will all attack.  We humans can learn something about unity from these little ants.