"I'm Back" or "Farewell"...take your pick

On January 7, 2012 I made what I intended to be my last post. I felt at the time that I was spending too much time worrying about why more people weren't commenting on what I had written, like what I had to say was only important if other people thought it was important. Which is really dumb when I come back to the realization of what a writer type person I am. I write because I enjoy putting words to paper. I like the feeling of collecting my thoughts and notions about certain issues, and articulating them in a readable fashion. I enjoy the act of writing, not because of what others think of it, but because it helps me to clear my mind and formulate my opinions.

However, I made a huge miscalculation back then. I concluded that it was the blog that was taking too much time and effort, and that Facebook was a quicker way to say what I wanted to say on a daily basis. Boy! What a colossal misunderstanding of the real issue. Facebook (and I speak only for myself here) is a huge time-suck, excuse that crude expression. I have watched myself, and people around me, giving endless time to trivial nothings, as opposed to having real relationships with the people sitting right around them. I'm not saying it's all bad for everyone. I'm simply stating what I see. People are desperate for contact...for validation that their lives are important...that the small details of their lives matter. And you know what? They do matter! But Facebook, and sharing them on Facebook, doesn't make them more meaningful. In fact, I'm not sure it doesn't make them less. I think Facebook breeds a very unfortunate strain of discontent. The thing is, I'm not even one of those really susceptible people when it comes to envy of others lives! In fact, I often have people miffed at me because I just do not fall into that whole "unhappy with my self and my existence" crowd. But even I can fall into the trap at times. The Bible talks about this issue as well; 2 Cor. 10:12, "...but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise!"

I will be following a multitude of intelligent, cool people who are realizing that Facebook is not a good way to conduct relationships, and leave it to all you other intelligent, cool people who can manage to use it wisely.  I know I've made the decision before to get off, more for privacy reasons, etc., but now I'm getting off for ethical reasons.

So, I won't be there anymore. I'll be keeping my account and message system open (so anyone can still message me) as long as it causes no problems. It does make for an easy way to contact me from cell phones or the internet anywhere, or when people are having trouble with their email systems. I trust you'll remind yourselves that it's nothing personal. I simply don't want any news feed coming in at all. It's not like I'll be out of contact. I do still have email as well, and you all have my email address.

I thought about even removing the comment feature from this blog so I wouldn't be waiting for responses, but there are actually a couple of smart people out there who give me some feedback sometimes, and I value their comments very highly. (you know who you are)

So, there you have it. Stepping off the wheel! It'll have to spin without me from now on.