Fighting Facebook?

There is a lot more to write about our vacation, and Hubby has posted pictures on Facebook (check them out!). But speaking of Facebook, I have been wondering about something.

After many invites from friends, I joined the Facebook nation two years ago. As soon as I signed up, it opened up a whole new world. Friends who invited me immediately "became" my friends (as if we were not already); within hours, Facebook connected me to many friends from around the country and friends from back home, some of whom I have been in touch all along, some of whom I have not. It was wonderful to share lives with them despite the physical distance.

I have really appreciated this connection; but on the other hand, I have also been wondering about what I should post.

Should I post day-to-day happenings? But is it important for others to know what I had for lunch? 

Should I post my whereabouts?

Should I post my thoughts (random or not)? My questions? Pictures?

Nothing is wrong about these postings because this is part of sharing life. But in this Facebook nation that promotes connections, this is an extremely self-centered world. It is all about "me." I might be posting updates and letting all my friends know how I am doing, but these updates are not really directed to one person or a group of people. It is different from calling a particular family member or friend on the phone, or emailing them, or, for that matter, seeing that person face to face.

Some of my friends have recently closed their Facebook accounts because of it.

I have also been thinking about something else: how do I balance between posting my daily happenings and what is going on in my friends' lives and around the world?

One night, I was about to post something happy only to see that two different friends both lost a parent on the same evening. I could not bring myself to share my happy news when my friends were grieving.

A few days ago, I was going to post about dinner plan with my friends to celebrate a birthday before learning about what happened in Norway.

Then, I was going to post about the great weekend I had, but I could not do that in the midst of the terrible train accident in China.

There are many sufferings around us, whether it is in the news or not. But I know I can do better about my postings. One of my guiding principles for Facebook postings has been to post something that involves not only me, but also others (Hubby, family, friends etc.), and this has helped me think twice before posting.

I am still thinking and wondering about my Facebook citizenship. It is a wonderful way to connect with family and friends, but it is also an easy trap for self-centeredness, of which I hope I am not too guilty.

Shoes

I got new shoes on sale last week.

The pair of black shoes I wore most often to work was wearing out quite badly. It did not help at all that the shoes were not the right fit (they were wide, instead of regular) so they were loose. But at that point, I had been having a lot of trouble finding black dress shoes for a while, so I bought them anyway. As soon as I tried on the new shoes which were the right size and fit and were better made, I could tell the difference. My feet have been much, much happier.

Nonetheless, many people around the world do not have shoes. They do not have the luxury to buy what we consider necessity.

There are so many stories about children who cannot go to school, not only because their families cannot afford tuition, or they have to help in the farm, but also because they do not have a single pair of shoes that they absolutely need to walk the many miles to school. One way.

The black shoes I got were already half off; and with the sale going on in the store, I got another pair of shoes on the clearance rack for an even deeper discount. With the shoes, I got two shoeboxes.

What is the best way to use the shoeboxes? Fill them up with school supplies, hygiene items and toys! Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes filled with gifts for children around the world who might otherwise not receive a gift this Christmas.

I remember a story: one year, a child received a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child. Inside was a pair of shoes about which she had been praying. Overwhelmed with joy, she could now go to school, knowing that someone somewhere loved and cared about her; and so did God.

Plan

[Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration!]

A few months ago, I applied for a summer position on campus to help coordinate a study abroad program to Hong Kong. The students were going to take classes at my alma mater and I thought I could contribute to the program with my background of growing up and attending college there. And it would certainly be nice to visit with family and friends.

I did not get the job.

I think part of it was that they were not sure if I could take extended time off from work. It would have been a six-week vacation.

It was a little disappointing at first, but this week - the week I would have been coming home - I realized that had I been selected for the position, I would have missed the following events:

Extended time with my sister-in-law visiting from California

Weekend with other family members, including our fast-growing nieces and nephews

Fun day with my aunt and cousins at the local theme park

Time with my friends here

Fourth of July celebration

Wimbledon and local tennis events

Spanish (The summer Spanish class I was taking ended up being canceled, but I was studying on my own, nonetheless :)

When I thought it made perfect sense for me to apply for the summer position (and even go) a few months ago, God already knew otherwise. I would still love to go home, but I am glad I was here, spending time with my family here (including Hubby!).

We might not always see it right away, but God's plan is always the best.