Palm trees reflect off of my computer screen. They distract me from the page on which I should be writing, writing. But writing about what? It seems like everyone has something to say these days. Pithy statements are accompanied by striking photos, hashtags, and links back to personal websites. I, too, want to revel in this media-circle fame. Yet I simultaneously wrinkle my nose at the repugnant nature of it all.
The internet has become a dump of human thought and lack thereof, and social media a scattered collage of chosen phrases and photos to show our lives exactly the way we want them to appear. Sometimes the dishonesty gets to me. Once I was ranting to my husband on the subject of people making their lives appear perfect on Facebook and I was worried I was doing the same. He said, “What, do you want to put up a picture of yourself picking your nose?” Okay, okay. He brings me back to planet earth. And I knew he was right.

Truth is not always necessary to share with others. There are those mamas who tell vivid poo and nursing stories (and even bless us with photographic proof of their conundrums). There are those who tell us every emotion they experience in ten minute increments. Maybe honesty is not always the issue. I have this problem with being too hard on people–whether they are saying things I deem stupid, or portraying their lives in a way I deem too-good-to-be-true.
Social Media has never really been the issue. Sure, it is a dangerous tool. However, the real problem has always been me–comparing myself with others and getting frustrated that some seem to have their personal style and business branding all figured out, always have inspirational quotes to share, and seem to have loads of energy even after staying home with their six kids all day. Goodness, I have no children and still desire a nap from time to time!

Deep down I know the truth, anyway. All of my friends on Facebook are real people. Photos on Instagram are merely fractured pieces of real life being enjoyed. And I need to crush this aspect of my overly critical (masked by the word ‘analytical’) self. Social media should never be a fully and intimately accurate portrayal of my life…because then, my life would be all about social media, and I would not really have one.
So, hello. My name is Audrey Ann Sanders Masur. I have good days where I work out and am super productive, and I have days I eat donuts and cry about silly things. Please never think my life is perfect, but please know that it is blessed.
In the drab days, in the artistic days, in all of my days, I am blessed, for Jesus loves us. This I know. I hope you know it, too.
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