It's liberating!

It's really really liberating!

I'm off Facebook.  Well, at least for a while until Easter when Lent is over.  I've been contemplating about what to give up. I've been giving up meat for about 22 years now and it has gotten so easy for me (bordering pleasurable because I've already fallen so deep in love with vegetarian dishes that they have become more of a treat for me!) I've also tried abstaining from coffee some years and actually got off for quite a while due to health concerns that sacrificing a cup doesn't even cut it anymore.

And then came top 3 and 4 on my list.  Facebook or Rice.  

Facebook.

Rice.

Facebook.

Rice.

I favored rice to stick with me.  'Nuff said.

Last night, I officially bid Facebook goodbye, albeit temporarily.  Since it has become one of the main contact points for me, I had to post an email address on my status just in case there is something I must not miss.  Just so I will still be in the loop but it is only for practical purposes.

 

(Image courtesy of brakebanzeen.com)

Today is Day 1. I'm not necessarily an addict (maybe) but for a typical audience-hungry human like me (and so are you if there is an opportunity and don't you deny it hehe), I had a little bit of withdrawal symptoms. But what is surprising is the bigger feeling that came with it.  Guess what, I find it so liberating at the same time!  I'm free, I'm free! (aside from more free time to focus and re-channel my energy on other things). I'm free!  It feels good.

I'm sacrificing something and doing this in honor of my love of Christ and His love for me,  in honor of all the unborn children and in fervent prayer that all future mothers will always choose life over abortion, and for my parents' strength and health.  But in effect, God is the one blessing me with this overwhelming feeling of lightness and clarity of mind.  Like I have been relieved of a baggage that was not at all that necessary to begin with.

May I always remember this liberating feeling that I am enjoying immensely even just on the first day without it. It's like crossing over the difficulty of breaking up with someone you have grown so accustomed to and thought you couldn't live without because you just got used to it (or not even thinking about the prospect of breaking up because of that), and all of a sudden discovering the joy that multiplies in exponential proportions once you've finally been released.  All of a sudden, you are not burdened, nor tied down, nor carrying something heavy on your back.  You're dancing, you're doing what you want...you are free!  That's what it feels like for me.  I can cite that example because I've been through a relationship like that in the past. But let's not go that way, tee hee!

I'm coming to the realization and appreciating the fact that it's not all about sharing to the world what you're currently doing (as if it has turned into an addictive responsibility beyond reason) nor sharing to the world what you are capable of doing, though it's helpful for building up a healthy and confident psyche (just don't go overboard). It is also not just about finding out what others are up to all the time, aka being nosy and stalking. It's time to re-evaluate personal relationships and focus more on personal associations. It puts our awareness and perspective to a whole new different level and re-acquaints us with the real meaning of "friendship".

I will still use it for networking and marketing, and I will keep my commitment to post inspirational quotes in the hope of touching someone who needs one at the right moment. Let's face it,  our posts, no matter how trivial sometimes, can benefit others.  That one little soul on your list who needed to see a photo that you've just shown, an idea, a merchandise, a long-lost friend found on another one's list, a quote that strikes stronger than lightning, a wake-up call vicariously acquired from someone's status bar.  

Those are only a few of the pros of social networking, and we can't take that away. 

But no more overloading.  (Which is exactly why I stopped putting in entries for my gratitude journal.  I made a mistake of setting up automatic feeds and I couldn't undo it for the longest time!  I finally did last night.  Another liberating experience, yay!)

Will I go back to Facebooking come Easter? Yes, of course.  My friends and family are there. 

But probably not as much.  Hopefully not as much!

I'm liking this freedom!