Picture “Perfect”

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,

but my life’s not picture perfect.

My floors need mopping

My laundry needs folding

My kids watch too much TV

My husband and I are way past finishing each other’s sentences…

We usually can’t finish a sentence

Too many interruptions

Kids need help with homework

Family needs help with a crisis

Teens have questions about social life, their future life, just life

it’s not perfect

but social media makes you wish for perfection

Everyone props up their lives on tripods

So they can be seen in the perfect light

Everyone’s kids are star students

Sports champions

Beautiful, handsome and popular, of course

Families vacation in Europe

Homes are flawless

as rays of sunlight hit the carefully positioned still life on the kitchen counter

I know…you woke up and it looked like this

But, I’m over it

My sink is overflowing with dishes,

I came in late from a meeting and cooked dinner at 8 o’clock

Who has energy for dishes at ten after working all day?

Not me.

My perfectly imperfect life will have to do.

It doesn’t make for a nice Instagram pic

No one will ever like or share my life story

But it’s the real story.

It’s real life, not still life

Something I think we’ve lost sight of in all our efforts to capture “real life” in our stories, on our pages, for our friends who aren’t our friends, but just a million nameless followers for whom we live… and we’d certainly die if they ever discovered the truth.

 

Photo by Ionut Coman Photographer on Unsplash

Monday Mayhem: People Watching!

People are watching…

In this day and age, that phrase kind of gives you the creeps, doesn’t it? It’s true, though. I mean, there are cameras everywhere! At special events–birthdays, graduations, weddings–or mundane places–traffic lights, parking lots, bathrooms (selfie anyone?) Let’s face it. This is the generation of visual documentation–of everything! Whether still or moving, life is being captured in pictures and they are worth thousands–of words and dollars–because people are watching. We want to see what other people are doing.

But I’m not here to unpack our need to watch. I’m here to turn the lens, back on us. If we are being watched all the time, my question is what image do we portray? What legacy will we leave? What will be documented by all of the snaps and selfies? If we lay them out before us, what story will they tell?

Maybe we should be organizing our actions the way we organize our term papers–around a central theme or idea–then work towards supporting that theme or idea in every activity and every endeavor so that our story holds together. Then, if people are watching, they may see a comedy or a tragedy. Will they be inspired or disappointed?

If you’re like me, you’d probably like to shun the audience and be left alone with your tragic story, but the reality is, there’s always an audience. Somebody is always watching–kids, spouse, co-workers, friends, enemies, acquaintances, strangers.  You can’t avoid being watched by someone!

I know that sounds creepy, but if it’s inevitable, why not give a good show? No, don’t start peeling out of your shirt, I mean give a good show. Leave a legacy of good. If we can’t dive into our holes and keep to ourselves, then whoever is watching us has the potential to be influenced by us. So, what kind of influence do we want to have on our audience? Do we want to inspire them or depress them? Not that our job is to entertain them, but if they’re watching, we should at least consider that something we say or do will not just affect us, it will also affect them in some way. It may leave an impression, spark an idea–or squash a dream.

Ironically, my selfie could influence someone else’s self. It’s a crazy thought, but because people are watching, it’s true. So, before you post a pic, or spout a harsh word, think about who’s watching and give ’em a good show, will ya? It could make a world of difference!

Happy Monday!