Does perfect mean anything to you? Displaying a successful image through social media the norm? But wait. You can’t plaster people with negative life experiences. It means you have weaknesses and flaws. Isn’t that the truth?
Then there’s a great divide between what public figures with grandiose egos present to the world and what happens on the inside. Often they have great fears that need to be masked.
How do we know people are authentic?
One way. Walk in their shoes. Do them a favor and get to know someone outside of public eye. Get down low, on the level where you can meet eye to eye. Look right into their journey of life and listen. Would there be any bumps, crookedness, hurts, or devastation? What fears and flaws do they have?
Would you allow people to walk inside your circles?
Our modern day fast-paced life is to blame for some of the disconnect. But not all of it should get the blame. Technology is only a vehicle. We can ride it for our benefit or for our detriment.
The neighbor, clerk at the store, or the server at the restaurant doesn’t know you. They communicate with you few minutes compared to family members who live with you. Sometimes a rude comment or a abrupt word says it all. Blame it on a bad day, especially when it’s a stranger, but with someone close to you, it’s different. It’s not always a bad day.
My way or the highway
Early on in our marriage I tended to push ‘my way or the highway’ attitude thinking my idea was better. Receiving criticism, even if it was constructive, was one of my flaws. As a precisionist I had to follow my own procedures and needed time to think things over before I was ready for a change.
Understanding that social media is not the place to share you heartaches and pains, but some authenticity would go a long way to help connect with others on a more honest level. However small the glimpses into your life in public, there is a way to keep it honest and transparent while keeping it discreet. It’s a balancing act. On one level we need to keep up the good appearances and privacy, but another way we need to be authentic.
Connect with social media
And connect in person would be the answer. It takes effort. Keying on the keyboard seems easier than making that phone call to a friend or family member. It’s easy to get stuck into a rut, and remain there. Friends make friends by two way communication.
Motivational speakers always encourage and inspire you to live better while putting less emphasis on the reality of life, especially when it’s negative. We live in a fallen world with tragic events taking place daily. The recent school shooting portrays that life is unpredictable. People who have experienced suffering and death, are more likely to understand their fellow traveller who has gone through similar events.
Does it ever bother you when you see only the perfect life displayed for the public to see?
Why do people want to follow successful people? For the benefits of prestige, power, money or status. Or to be known as a friend of important people. I realize that in order to get ahead we need to better ourselves and hang out with people who have gone ahead of you and learn from them.
What makes a good leader?
A follower who has taken advice from the leader in his/her field of expertise. If someone is performing well and has a good idea, join them and encourage them to succeed and you’ll succeed yourself. Encourage others and you’ll be encouraged.
Personally I usually like to see success displayed in others, but other times when I’m feeling low it doesn’t help to compare myself to some unattainable measure of success. I wonder if people, mostly public figures, have experienced any dark days or devastation. If so, then how did they overcome to reach the happiness that they exhibit? Some share more authentic stories than others.
I tell myself to stop the comparison. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique.
Does perfect mean anything to you? Only God exhibits perfection. He does not have the sin nature we as humans have. He is perfect. We don’t need to strive for perfection to be accepted by God. He’s covered us with his righteousness. We have nothing to offer him except our filthy sinful life, which he makes clean through Jesus Christ. All we have to do is accept the free gift of his righteousness. Not perfect, but covered in his grace. At peace with ourselves ready to encourage others. We can be assured that God’s grace is enough.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)