Life beyond Facebook likes

Our day starts with checking emails, what's app messages and most importantly Facebook notifications. We are eager to see how many likes our post have received. When there are many likes we feel elated but it's a painful to see our post lingering overnight on the timeline with a handful of likes. We feel dejected as if nobody cares for us, nobody wants to listen what We want to say, no one values us, we feel worthless, ignored and embarrassed. Not only that but we experience jealousy in the heart when others get more likes than us.

We have become so shallow that we define our value, success based on Facebook likes and others' opinions for us. Rather than thinking what likes us, what inspires us and following that with whole heart we start putting emphasis on what others think of us, what others like etc. The lack of likes is not necessarily a projection of how liked we are personally, or whether or not we are good enough. We must work on this wrong tendency of comparing ourselves with others based on some externals.

Start liking ourselves:
We have to understand that we all are different in the way we think, feel and do things. Everyone is endowed with unique potential. We must find out that unique nature of ours and work on that to improve and upgrade it. Each one of us is different with different success parameters, so it's better to compete with our self than with others. Make decisions that reflect our true self. Express who we really are, without being overwhelmed with the joy of acceptance and the fear of rejection.

Stop hankering for likes:
Even if we get likes after few days again we will desire for it and if we don't get that we will be miserable, better stop hankering for it. Let not externals affect our internal emotions, desires, mindset etc. Keep our inner world intact by not depending upon others' perspective about us. When we are satisfied within we won't hanker for appreciation through any means, we will be happy contributing in an efficient way.

It's not only with the Facebook but in life's journey also we are so dependent on others' outlook about us. We must go beyond likes and dislikes and find out the solid purpose to live with and continue doing it enthusiastically despite being recognized or ignored by others. Ups and downs will keep coming in lives through various means, dealing with them on the basis of deep spiritual foundation can protect us from all crisis.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa