Social Media

My Dad posted this on Facebook today.  I think it's pretty accurate.  

And I think it's hilarious they have a T-shirt for it.

Perspective

Sometimes I'm amazed at the power media has.  These videos and photos (though unrelated to each other) are about the same place, yet you'll be able to feel a very different impact from each.

Click here to go to video 1.

Click here to go to video 2.

So, it makes me wonder what being in that place is really like.

Taking it for Granted

Do we take technology for granted?

This past week my friend showed me a video.  In this video, it was Christmas time, and his entire family was sitting in the living room of his Mom's apartment opening presents.  The camera panned the scene.  It was a small apartment, and colorful, but it was apparent that this family could in no terms be described as well-off.  In fact, they looked poor.  There were very few belongings, and most of the decorations looked home-made.  It was a happy place, but not a wealthy place.  I watched for a moment until the camera focused in on the mother of this close-knit Nicaraguan family.  She was opening her Christmas present from my friend.  As she opened it, her hands started to shake.  She realized what she was seeing on the outside of a box. 

An iPad.

Just a simple iPad.

It was too much.  She broke down and held her hand to her mouth as tears streamed down her face.  

It's not very often that we see reactions like this anymore on Christmas, but this sweet woman, coming from such humble circumstances, could not have ever imagined owning such technology as an iPad.  

It was a reminder to me to be grateful for what I have.  Even 10 years ago, I wouldn't have thought that technology is where it is today. 

Dove

I've always considered myself a realist, but I've found that as I get older, sometimes I'm swayed by the world's projections of success and beauty.

However, Dove commercials have helped me to keep it real.

Here are a few of my favorites:

This one gives me the perspective and reminder that advertising can influence us from a very young age and that we have a responsibility to help children understand their real worth.

Grown women often need the reminder of who they are as well.

And here's one for the men.  Even they can have misconceptions about their body image and what is expected of them.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought and a few moments to ponder these questions:

Who am I?

How do I let advertisements and the world influence who I am?

What should be the greatest influencing factor of my self-worth?