Just Say “No!”
A few Thursday thoughts about “just saying no!” where social media is concerned.
When her husband was president, Nancy Regan visited a classroom in Oakland, California. A little girl asked, “What do you do if somebody offers you drugs?“ Mrs. Regan answered, “Well, you just say no.”
Let’s face it! Sometimes our perspectives differ!
“Just say No” became a phrase used to fight the “War on Drugs.” The slogan was often criticized—perhaps legitimately so—as being a too-simplistic solution to a very complicated problem.
In the same way people were encouraged to say “no” to drugs, I find sometimes I must “just say no” to avoid becoming entangled in social media.
Here are a few thoughts about this dilemma.
I “just say no” to:
Dismissing social media because it may contain bad and contentious content.
Lingering over any post that sparks an unhelpful emotional response within me such as disgust, anger, envy, condemnation, fear, or comparison.
Permitting myself—even privately—to use derogatory labels to define anyone.
Making comments unless I follow advice received as a child: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Accepting certain friend requests without careful consideration.
Unfriending anyone except in extreme cases.
Do you have additional thoughts?
