It's been 5 years since I last posted this, but it still haunts me (in a good way) when friends play games at Facebook. (And it still surprises me the 'but my hobbies make sense' comments I received the first time around. Sigh.)****************
"Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." ... 1 Timothy 6:17
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(You may have to mull this one over awhile.)
Some people at Facebook criticize their Farmville, Cafeville and survey-loving friends. You can even join "I Don't Care About your Farm, or Your Fish, or Your Park, or Your Mafia!!!" groups. When you sign-up, they appear on your friends' home pages and well, I'm sure some feelings have been hurt.
Myself? I don't generally do surveys or games at Facebook because I lack the desire. Yet I have Facebook friends who are into them, especially Farmville. Big time. You go to their wall and see little pictures of animals, candy or poker cards with hardly a photo of themselves or anyone else.
And that's the sort of thing which makes my other friends wild. You know, the way game photos can clutter up the home pages of non-gamers. Who cares that we can click "Hide" so we can make it all vanish? Many people just believe if they think games waste time, then no one should play games. Period.
And there is the problem. There is the rub.
I heard one woman say that anyone who likes any tv reality show is being duped. Others quip that all cell phone users are rude and today's movies are all garbage.
But here is what Debra says: we all need downtime, especially in Today's stressful world. And we all relax in different ways--my idea of fun is different (probably) than yours and what relaxes me might stress you out.
And who am I--who is anyone--to say, "My way of relaxing is a wiser, better way than yours?"
Which of us was chosen by God to declare that reading, hiking and sewing are fine hobbies, but Farmville, reality shows and computer games are pathetic? Golf yes, but Facebook no way?
Does anyone else hear the pride in those statements?
Of course, any activity can be overdone. Anything in Life can become an obsession and whisk us away from our responsibilities. Yet even there-- it's not the hobby that's wrong, it's us. Our lack of self-control and not coming away when convicted.
De-stressing types of hobbies-- may ours allow us to relax and recharge. And may we extend grace to others whose hobbies are nothing like our own.
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Free Kindle Books:
The Cat Manual
Trail of Thread
An Unexpected Family
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"Love one another..."
So true that there are many ways to relax; for me it includes reading and gardening.
ReplyDeleteThe book "An Unexpected Family" was a great read. Its free today 4/24 and I read it in one sitting.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally unaware of Farmville on FB and I goes that's a good thing. With only 43 friends, and most of them family, I'm sure I'm spared a lot. I sometimes marvel at what seems like a frenetic pace of some young relatives but then remember what I was like at their age. I also raise my eyebrows at some postings but then realize they must often be bored to death with mine.
ReplyDeleteBut burning Farmville? You've made me curious!
Terra--yes! There are probably as many ways to relax as there are people. Maybe? :)
ReplyDeleteJan--So glad you liked that book. I'll have to check it out!
Dewena--that's one of the best things in Life to do--to view Life from other peoples' perspective. It makes for more peace and I'm glad you've discovered that, also!
Thanks, Ladies! Blessings, Debra