Facebook Fast

I spent my walk home today pondering about our lecture on social media, specifically about the negative effects Facebook might have on my life. I spend soooo much unnecessary time on Facebook. It’s not a conscious decision, I just somehow waste time on that thing like no one’s business. I just have it automatically pulled up at work, or pulled up on my phone, or pulled up on my laptop so it’s easily refreshable when I get a free minute to check up on what’s going on in my “friends” lives. Am I totally pathetic? I have noticed that I have spent significantly more time on Facebook since I bought an iPhone. It’s just too easily accessible. I don’t like that I spend so much time on Facebook, yet I'm lucky if I get 15 minutes of scripture study in a day. This is not okay with me. 

I was particularly impressed by the three girls in our class who explained why they decided not to be involved in social media. I had the thought that maybe I should try going without social media for a while and see what positive effects it may have. So I am going to try a little experiment on myself J I'm going to go a whole week (uber pathetic, I know) without Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. I had my boyfriend change my password of all three sites so that I wouldn’t even be tempted to log on. I think it will be really nice. I predict that I will have more free time and feel happier in general. I will update my blog in a week from now with my findings.

The Power of Music

Today I have listened to 4 albums worth of church music while studying. It really is incredible how much music can influence me and my mood. I rely on music every Sunday to get me in the right mindset before church as well as to help me continue to feel the Spirit after church. I feel like an enjoyable, relaxing Sunday wouldn't be the same with out Sunday music. I truly believe music is the most powerful form of media. It had an unspeakable power that is incomparable to any other type of media.It can transform my mood and change my day. I am so grateful for music and it's influence in my life.

The Bachelor: To watch or not to watch?

I wish The Bachelor wasn't my guilty pleasure, but it totally is. I know it's not the most uplifting show, but I watch it anyway. Why? I have no idea. That's what's so ridiculous about it. Throughout our lesson this week on reality TV, I was contemplating why I enjoy watching The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Maybe it is the drama? Maybe I live vicariously through the show and enjoy forming my own opinions on which contestants are the best for this and that reason. I don't always feel in control of my own love life, but it's fun to pretend like I can control and be involved in someone else's love life. It sounds silly, I know. 

For that reason, I have been reevaluating my reasons for justifying watching this show, if there are any. I can't seem to make a decision on whether I will continue watching the show or not. In regards to the studies we talked about in class, I don't feel like the show influences my attitudes towards dating or gives me any type of "fairytale" ideas. I don't feel like I expect anything I see on that show to be reflected in my own dating life.  I recognize that the show is completely ridiculous, that it's not anything like real life.I know what I believe and I know that I have different and higher standards for the types of relationships I want to be engaged in compared to the trashy ones I see on this show. So I should be fine watching it, right? Okay, I know that's maybe not true. I have a hard time justifying that there are any positive benefits that come from watching this show, and we are advised to watch things that are uplifting and enriching. I feel like if I am having to think about it this much, I probably should not be watching it. I'm sure there are many other better options that I could fill my time with.

But I want to know what you guys think. Do any of you watch it? Or have passionate feelings against it? Why or why not? I'm very interested to know.

Thoughts: Miss Representation

I left class today with a pit in my stomach as a result of fear for my future children. I am worried for my daughters especially, but also for my sons. I have always known that my daughters would be especially vulnerable at a young age when it comes to body image and have prepared myself to deal with those issues when the time comes. But I never thought about how I need to prepare my sons as well to not only respect women, but recognize that women can do anything men can do. If I perpetuate the notion that men need to be strong, masculine, in control, and hard, they will be sure to run into problems in school where they feel like they don't measure up. I want my boys to know that they can show emotion and they can be involved in things that aren't always comply with gender stereotypes. I also want to teach my boys that they need to respect women just like they should respect everyone else. I feel like teaching my boys these things will help relieve some of the pressure my on my daughters and other girls their age.

This movie really made me realize just how responsible the media is for so much of the corruption in our society. I was even realizing ways I had been a victim of media pollution. Luckily, I was content enough with my body image growing up that I never had any type of major struggles outside the typical awkwardness that comes with being in a teenager body. But what I never realized until today was how my perception of women in leadership roles or political positions has probably been more affected by media than I realize. I grew up thinking that those types of roles were for men and that women just weren't good for public office or for major leadership positions. I have never reflected on why I have grown up with these stigmas until watching this movie. My parents didn't raise me on any such notions. In fact my mother was very involved in our city council and school board. The only other source I can trace is the media! I must have somehow adopted those views over the years being exposed to a lot of media.

General Conference

Can i just say how grateful I am for technology and media that allows me to hear the prophet's voice in my home only seconds after he says his words in real life? It's incredible that it is available for me to watch at all, but for it to be available to me live is extraordinary. What a blessing! And if I want to go back and hear a talk again, it is easily accessible on the church's website. It's so cool. I get really excited for general conference. I am so happy to be able to listen to all of the prophet's and apostles' words this weekend. I can't help but think that these are the types of things that Heavenly Father intended for technology to be used for. This is only one of the many wonderful ways that technology can be used to further the work of the church. It really is amazing!!