Ridiculous?

Ridiculous

I heard a parent tell a young child (somewhere between 5-7) years old, “you’re being ridiculous” – the word grated upon my ear.

How do you say something like that to a child?  Did I ever say things like that to my children – probably so, O Lord forgive me.  Have I said, or even thought it, about someone?  O Lord forgive me.

What was the child doing which caused such censure?

First define the word, maybe, just maybe it doesn’t mean what I think…

ri-dic-u-lous – an adjective – deserving or inviting derision or mockery, absurd.

So, what was the child doing to deserve, or worse inviting, derision or mockery.

The parent wanted to take a picture in them in their rain boots, the child didn’t want to comply.  Disobedience?

Maybe, but I’m guessing the reason for the picture was meant to be posted on social media – for the purpose of?

Look at me

Look at my children

Acknowledge me

Affirm me

RELEASE THE DOPAMINE!

Which of course meant I had to research how accurate my ‘perception’ of social media seeking thrills.

Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A Battle For Your Time

Ouch – I’m not on social media, in fact, I’d withdrawn from even posting on this blog because I didn’t want to do it for the ‘oh look at me’ or ‘affirm me’ or ‘oh  look how many views I’ve had’ (guilty as charged).

However, as I read the article, I realized I’m still guilty!  Grief!  My phone has become an extension of my hand!  I spend W-A-Y too much time looking at my phone!

Here are just a few highlights – but really read the article (even on your smartphone!) or research it further and pray about it, pray for your loved ones, pray for me!

…adults in the US spend an average of 2-4 hours per day tapping, typing, and swiping on their devices.

…the social structures in which we thrive tend to contain about 150 individuals. This number is orders of magnitude smaller than the 2 billion potential connections we carry around in our pockets today.

Although not as intense as hit of cocaine, positive social stimuli will similarly result in a release of dopamine, reinforcing whatever behavior preceded it.

This neurological feature is something casino owners have used to their advantage for years. 

Other examples highlight a more deliberate effort to monopolize your time.

Smartphones and social media apps aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so it is up to us as the users to decide how much of our time we want to dedicate to them.

So the next time you pick up your phone to check Facebook, you might ask yourself, “Is this really worth my time?”

Lord, help us to see ourselves as You see us, to remember we are slaves, Your servants.  Help us to use the resources You give in a way which brings You honor and glory.  Help us to be good stewards of the time You’ve allowed us on this side of glory.