The Internet gives us all kinds of great stuff – keeping in touch with friends and family, posting pictures and video, maps to find our way, easy access to information for research, online shopping, craft and cooking ideas (Pinterest – my wife Michelle's, favorite!) and news from around the world instantly.
But, the Internet has also fueled a problem we all have.
I problems.
Look what I am doing/eating/buying/thinking – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – from anywhere.
Don't believe me? Consider the following web tools:
- YouTube
- Google+
- MySpace (perfect name and yes it's back)
What is the primary purpose of these sites? Mark Zuckerberg would probably say "to allow people to connect:.
I believe these sites exist and are very successful because people are craving significance. Maybe if enough people Like, Retweet, +1, repost, share and chat about what I am saying, then maybe I will finally be significant. We are desperately seeking significance from the wrong people in the wrong way. I'm guilty of it too. I have an account on all those sites – except MySpace and Instagram. You're also reading this post from my blog.
Our focus is on the mirror. What if we focused on others instead of ourselves?
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” —Albert Einstein
Seeing others as significant is what our me focused culture has lost. Our kids hear the following phrase every so often – "It's not all about you". We want to instill in them a concern and regard for others. Seems to me that Mr. Einstein echoed something you may have heard before:
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. -
Wouldn't it be cool if we were significant to somebody because our focus was on them instead of ourselves?
