You’ve heard of the Instagram Weekly Round Up haven’t you? It’s usually a post on Sunday from the Instagram team that fills a space in your usual feed of friend’s photos. Sometimes the pictures are intriguing, artistic, or overly creative. Sometimes, I skip right over them. However, one a few weeks ago caught my eye. There is a woman named Taylor Tippet who uses the Instagram handle @taylortippet. This girl is onto something. Taylor is a flight attendant who chooses to use her job for good. Each day, or maybe every flight, she posts an anonymous note on a window seat of the plane. The words range from “you’re golden” to “do what matters” and beyond. All the little notes are subtle reminders that we have a responsibility to love ourselves, and to take care of one another. What a beautiful message and a simple delivery of an absolutely necessary reminder that life matters. Now, Taylor now has over 70 thousand followers on Instagram, so that tells you what kind of promotion the Weekly Round Up gets you. Mega-Exposure. I don’t want to steal her photos and put them on here; rather I strongly recommend her photos on Instagram, or check her out on Twitter @taylortippet as well. What an amazing reflection of beauty.

In light of disheartening news this week in Missouri, which I admit I am privileged enough to just send my heart and my prayers to, I find it an extremely important practice to seek out hope, community, and connection. Answer what that means for you, and start from there. In an effort to build more connection for me to this space here, I started a Pinterest account for the blog. Of course I would love for you to follow along. In doing so, I was so excited to find that others, many others, have vision boards and virtual collections of beautiful things. It was an exercise in connection to others and to that ache in your heart to remember the things that are good. No, of course I am not naive enough to think that I am the only one on a journey such as this. Too, I know making a self indulgent board on Pinterest will never compare to trying to solve hurt and issues of racism, power, or politics. However, this small step was so encouraging to me to find that people find solace, peace, or maybe just enjoyment in the collection of beautiful images, words, creativity, experiences.

Social media is really a fascinating thing these days. Pressure to create an ideal image of you, or a highlight reel of the grand and glamorous things going on in your life at times feels insurmountable. I spend quite a few moments thinking about what I want to post on each of the different modes of communication, and who do I share what information with (that can’t be grammatically correct, can it?). What is the goal of these different outlets and should we critically analyze these ways we spend our time connecting with others? It is easy to be overly selective in creating the “Katie” represented on my social media accounts. Too, many people choose the opposite path and selectively complain, argue, and pull others down into the depths of darkness that is tempting in this world.

I suppose I was just blown away by these two examples of how social media can extend positive energy and ooze the loving light of inspiring others to take time to appreciate themselves, and appreciate the world.  All I can think of is this scripture verse that keeps running through my head. Take or leave religion, I don’t care either way, but this verse to me, holds immense truth.

New Living Translation – Phillipians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Tonight, for me, that includes the simplicity of a delightfully smelling candle, a cold glass of white wine (don’t judge the ice cubes) and catching up on Real Simple Magazine.

Do you use social media for good? Is it a challenge to manage yourself here? What brings you peace, solace, and enjoyment?