I will curate potential social media posts choosing to post only the most meaningful and substantive things. I shall respect the time and attention of my social media friends.
I will not say something to someone on social media that I would not say to them face-to-face. “Facebook sniping” from a position of relative anonymity is cowardly.
I will be succinct when posting or making comments. No one wants to read a novel on a social media feed, especially one poorly written.
I will not be a “helicopter Facebooker.” Hovering over social media, waiting for the next post, response, or “like/love” are terrible wastes of time. Get on. Get off. Get a life.
I will not let social media preempt and usurp socializing with people physically in my presence. They deserve my attention more than my Facebook friends. Social media can be isolating. Social media is anti-social.
I will refrain from politi-speak on social media. “My political views were substantively changed because of a social media post” said NO ONE, HARDLY EVER. But “My contentious social media posts estranged me from friends and family and destroyed relationships precious to me” have said MANY PEOPLE OFTEN! Think about it.
I will reserve potentially emotionally-charged posts for phone conversations or, preferably, face-to-face conversations. Same thing applies to emails, instant messages, and texts. The risk of misunderstanding and offense is just too great.
If I have to vent, I will vent privately to a trusted friend or to God Himself and not word-vomit all over social media.
I will not regard agreement on political views or any other topic as some sort of litmus test for a Facebook “friendship.” Many dear friends disagree with me on any number of things and I’m 100% OK with that. However, being mean, hateful, or vulgar is not OK.
My most important objectives for social media posts are not to persuade, argue or lobby but rather to encourage, inspire, and edify. There’s already too much of the former and too little of the latter.
I am a family physician, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, husband of Diana since 1985, father of 6, and grandfather of 13. My tombstone will have the following entry: August 1, 1962 - ??. The "-" is that time God has given me to serve Him on this beautiful earth. It is my desire tell my stories, the stories of my "-." for my children and grandchildren. I hope others enjoy them too.
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