Social Media Etiquette

Whether we like it or not, Facebook, Twitter and all kinds of social media are changing the way we interact. Some in good ways, some in...well, deteriorating ways. Here are some of my thoughts on social media etiquette:

• Not everything in my life is worthy of a status update or tweet. I try to weigh whether I should post something or not. If it's too personal, emotional or upsetting, I just don't. 
• When you're upset, please don't vent online. Figure things out offline. Use social media to make friends, not lose them...
• It's ok to unfriend or unfollow people if you don't like what people say. 
• Online contact is not a substitute for real life. I can't replace authentic relationships with those online, even though I appreciate staying connected with friends and family from all over. 
• If you're not my friend in real life, please don't assume we're friends online, even though I accepted you as a "friend"--some seem more like stalkers! Others may be ok with getting to know strangers online, but sorry, I'm not one of them. 
• Comment wisely. Especially now that you can comment on Facebook by clicking enter, be careful what you say! 
• Tag carefully. I've unfriended several people because they unnecessarily tag or overdo their business advertising. 
• You can choose what information is visible on your Facebook wall. I've chosen to not show whose wall, pictures, or statuses I've commented on, or to show who I've just become friends with. I don't think y'all need to know that! 
• You're your own brand. What you say, how you say it and what you post are a reflection of you, visible to the worldwide web. Try to make a good impression and use social media well, please? 

Note: These are my personal opinions, and I am not trying to respond to someone's recent post, blog or tweet...!

Lessons from a Cross Stitcher

I recently revived my long-forgotten hobby of cross stitching. I used to do this back in high school, but thanks to my friends Macy and Mia, I am doing it again. Here are some random thoughts on cross stitching and how I've seen it apply to life in general:

• The pattern can be overwhelming. So stick to figuring it out one stitch at a time, one color at a time. Our lives can get overwhelming, maybe that's why God reveals things one day, one season at a time?

• Cross stitching can be addicting. Like many things, a hobby can turn into an obsession. So I have to be careful to know when to put it aside. Kinda like games on your phone or iPad, TV and being online.

• Mistakes are inevitable. You can take the easy route and cover them up, or you can do it the right way: Go back and correct your mistakes.

• The hardest parts come out the most beautiful: like the gold thread that I had to use to make the little girl's dress. The thread felt like a thin piece of wire that was so difficult to stitch. But sometimes it's the hardest parts of life that make us the most beautiful.

• These things take time. Even if I have been working on it for hours in my spare time, I have a lot further to go. Same thing about my thesis for my master's degree and so many other things that are pending!

• I revived my "cross stitch career" because my friends invited me to join their cross stitch get-togethers. So when I will get to the boring parts of my design, I know I will get through it because of them, our talks and our meriendas together. Friends make everything more fun anyway, right? 

• Cross stitching reminds me of the Victorian era, when people didn't have all the evening entertainment or ability to do whatever they wanted. They took pleasure in simple things, like sewing in the evening while someone reads by the fire or plays for everyone. I don't want to forget how to enjoy the simplest things. 

Oh, and it's a pleasure to see what you make become prettier and more complete day by day. Maybe that's how God feels about us? :-)