The world will do as it will do, as it has always done. Our desires are only a factor in our expectations, not in the final outcomes.When we forget this, and let ego take precedence, disappointment and frustration are our inevitable reminders that ego never ends well.
Peter, you aptly point out "One could even make the argument that social media exists for people to proclaim loudly and to as many people as possible “look at me!”—the ultimate celebration of the ego."
I myself am not on Facebook, X, etc. and I pointed this out to another Substacker, the Ohio Barbarian, that I wasn't on social media. His reply was, "You are on Substack." And then I realized I was. So I guess my ego still comes out at times when I comment on posts or make a post.
It's a paradox, a conundrum, and maybe even a bit of hypocrisy.
I post on Substack. I link to my Substack articles on both LinkedIn and Facebook and occasionally X and BlueSky as well.
Am I saying when I post "look at me!"? To a degree, maybe I am. Obviously I want people to read what I have to say!
Of course, the defense--or rationalization, depending on one's perspective--is that what I am posting is meaningful, is important, and is somehow relevant to others.
Is that really the case? Ultimately, I have to leave that question up to my subscribers and followers.
I am also mindful that we called to be God's light to the world:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
Are my articles my "good works"? I like to think they are, but I realize my saying that does not automatically make it so.
Are they an attempt to promote self? To a degree, perhaps they are.
Can they be both at the same time? Truthfully, I do not know.
Perhaps this is what Martin Luther meant in his letter to Philip Melanchthon by "sin boldly but believe more boldly still."
If you feel you are doing God's work with your posting then I see nothing wrong with it. It is the same reason I do my website as well. If you are seeking truth, that is the main thing. If a little ego sometimes shows through, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
So many valid points, Peter. But there is ego, and then there is a healthy self-esteem. You have a powerful mind that is better at reasoning and analyzing than the minds of most people, plus you have a much better memory. You are entitled to think that you are smart, because you are! And I thank God there are cocky problem-solvers like you. This nation was built by problem-solvers, and by those with stubborn resolve to improve things in accordance with their vision of a better world. We need a great deal more people like you in this modern, troubled world. I hope you never stop being your wonderful Self, Peter. I adore who you are! Of course we are all sinners, but you are striving to be better, and that’s all that God asks of you. You are admired and respected, more than you know, for your unrelenting, intelligent efforts. Bless you always!
There is an old proverb - I’ve read that it’s a Spanish one, but it shows up in other cultures as well - of “Man makes plans, and God laughs”. Yup. We all get humbled, disappointed, and tossed back to square one. The key is to consciously learn some lessons, and thank our loving God for these lessons, which make us better souls.
I read something a psychologist wrote years ago regarding people being disappointed with themselves. He said that so many of his patients came to him feeling like total failures, lamenting their mistakes, beating themselves up emotionally. He asked them, “So, all of your high school classmates became millionaires, won Nobel Prizes, won Academy Awards, won Heisman Trophies?” And the patient would have to admit, uh, no, none of his classmates became fabulously rich, or world famous, or the next Einstein, or got inducted into any Hall of Fame. Every single one of his classmates repeatedly failed at different things, had misfortunes, and had to pick themselves up and try again at Life. Well, Bingo! This IS life, isn’t it? You’re doing fine, Peter. Your soul is growing in wisdom. You are open to God’s guidance in leading you to your ongoing contributions - some of which you’ve not even aware. This is why there is so much wisdom in the Bible telling us to be patient, persevere, trust God, wait on the Lord. God’s Plan is unfolding as it should, and you’re part of it, in ways that will give you ultimate joy. You ARE beautiful, Peter - just as you are!
Peter, you aptly point out "One could even make the argument that social media exists for people to proclaim loudly and to as many people as possible “look at me!”—the ultimate celebration of the ego."
I myself am not on Facebook, X, etc. and I pointed this out to another Substacker, the Ohio Barbarian, that I wasn't on social media. His reply was, "You are on Substack." And then I realized I was. So I guess my ego still comes out at times when I comment on posts or make a post.
It's a paradox, a conundrum, and maybe even a bit of hypocrisy.
I post on Substack. I link to my Substack articles on both LinkedIn and Facebook and occasionally X and BlueSky as well.
Am I saying when I post "look at me!"? To a degree, maybe I am. Obviously I want people to read what I have to say!
Of course, the defense--or rationalization, depending on one's perspective--is that what I am posting is meaningful, is important, and is somehow relevant to others.
Is that really the case? Ultimately, I have to leave that question up to my subscribers and followers.
I am also mindful that we called to be God's light to the world:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
Are my articles my "good works"? I like to think they are, but I realize my saying that does not automatically make it so.
Are they an attempt to promote self? To a degree, perhaps they are.
Can they be both at the same time? Truthfully, I do not know.
Perhaps this is what Martin Luther meant in his letter to Philip Melanchthon by "sin boldly but believe more boldly still."
If you feel you are doing God's work with your posting then I see nothing wrong with it. It is the same reason I do my website as well. If you are seeking truth, that is the main thing. If a little ego sometimes shows through, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
So many valid points, Peter. But there is ego, and then there is a healthy self-esteem. You have a powerful mind that is better at reasoning and analyzing than the minds of most people, plus you have a much better memory. You are entitled to think that you are smart, because you are! And I thank God there are cocky problem-solvers like you. This nation was built by problem-solvers, and by those with stubborn resolve to improve things in accordance with their vision of a better world. We need a great deal more people like you in this modern, troubled world. I hope you never stop being your wonderful Self, Peter. I adore who you are! Of course we are all sinners, but you are striving to be better, and that’s all that God asks of you. You are admired and respected, more than you know, for your unrelenting, intelligent efforts. Bless you always!
There is an old proverb - I’ve read that it’s a Spanish one, but it shows up in other cultures as well - of “Man makes plans, and God laughs”. Yup. We all get humbled, disappointed, and tossed back to square one. The key is to consciously learn some lessons, and thank our loving God for these lessons, which make us better souls.
I read something a psychologist wrote years ago regarding people being disappointed with themselves. He said that so many of his patients came to him feeling like total failures, lamenting their mistakes, beating themselves up emotionally. He asked them, “So, all of your high school classmates became millionaires, won Nobel Prizes, won Academy Awards, won Heisman Trophies?” And the patient would have to admit, uh, no, none of his classmates became fabulously rich, or world famous, or the next Einstein, or got inducted into any Hall of Fame. Every single one of his classmates repeatedly failed at different things, had misfortunes, and had to pick themselves up and try again at Life. Well, Bingo! This IS life, isn’t it? You’re doing fine, Peter. Your soul is growing in wisdom. You are open to God’s guidance in leading you to your ongoing contributions - some of which you’ve not even aware. This is why there is so much wisdom in the Bible telling us to be patient, persevere, trust God, wait on the Lord. God’s Plan is unfolding as it should, and you’re part of it, in ways that will give you ultimate joy. You ARE beautiful, Peter - just as you are!
High praise indeed!
Hopefully, I shall always be worthy of it.