I borrowed this headline from a great post over on CatholicTechTips this morning. It struck me as precisely the thing that I, personally, want this coming year to be about. And I think it’s a message that resonates with many of us who fill the pauses of our days gluttonously trying to suck up every drop of the endless fire hose of bits that spew forth from the internet. Into our computers. Into our pockets. Into our cars. Into our homes. Into our silence.
For some of us it’s news sources and other bits of interesting information. For some of us it’s inspirational messages and newsletters and forwards and readings that pile up in our inboxes (and never get read). For others it’s an overload of trivial information about what our friends just ordered for lunch or how they did on their exam. And still others it’s a constant stream of pictures of loved ones and updates on surgeries and sicknesses and prayer intentions, etc.
These are all inherently good things. The problem is that there is an endless amount of these good things. And we only have a capacity for so much of it, especially if we are going to live life well - with real and meaningful relationships.
There is so much information - knowledge - out there to be gained. There are billions of relationships to be started and nurtured. There are endless opportunities to learn, to grow and to build ourselves (and others) up. It’s a wonderful world.
But somewhere in my pursuit of all of it, in my frantic effort to “not miss out” or let any good opportunity pass me by, I find myself missing out on quite a bit. And despite my sleepless efforts, quite a bit still passes me by.
It’s humbling to realize how incapable and very little we are. But it’s inspiring to see how much God can do with our very little.
This year, instead of finding the most efficient way to consume the highest quantity of information, focus on really knowing the most important information. Instead of starting lots of relationships, focus on the small group of people that God has already placed around you. If you have real, quality relationships with that small group of people, the fruits of those relationships will be magnified exponentially as you empower others to do the same.
It’s also tempting to only focus on the low-hanging fruit by only embracing the relationships around you that are easy. Instead, pay special attention to the ones that are difficult. There are great treasures to be found there if you are willing to work at them.
I just cut my Facebook friend count by 75% (depending on how you’ve used Facebook in the past, something similar may help you). And while it was sad to “unfriend” people who I knew to be wonderful people who I’m sure I could and would have fruitful relationships with, it was simply not physically and temporally possible for that to happen. And it was very satisfying to think about how much more fruitful my continued relationships are going to be with the remaining 25%. I am resolving in 2011 (with the help of God’s grace) to use these wonderful social media tools and other technologies as an aid in building real, quality relationships with the people I know and love.
The primary communication and social medium that God has given to us is not the written word, the visual arts, the cell phone or the social network - it’s the human person. May every relationship find it’s beginning and end there. And may 2011 be a year of meaningful and real relationships.
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Yes, it is the human person. And we are missing that point. And we are feeling more and more disconnected though we have mounds of information. Even with 3 children I live a small, silent life with no facebook. Although I am not opposed to it. But the small and the silent was a choice. And my spiritual life has abounded. And people are a person - even the clerk at the grocery store. Good job on simplifying and focusing. Sounds like something Therese the Little Flower would have thought a great idea.
Matthew, Blessed New Years Forevermore; it is the human person.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful message that resonates with my New-Year Reflection as well. I just spoke to my dear friend about these very things that have been long reflecting on my mind. I feel rested and assured that the good Lord lead me to ‘your’ post.
It’s no coincidence that your concise wording of the ‘human person’ is well explained and timely as in The Human Person: According to John Paul II by Fr. Brian Bransfield and a must read (for those who may have missed this book): a blessed start of the new year of 2011 for us all.
Truly,
Catherine Nagle
Good article. It expresses my feelings concerning “too many things interfering with my quality of life”. I’m 87 years old and time is precious to me. I was on Face book and realized it was wasting my time and I haven’t used it since. I spend my time doing whatever I can to end abortion saying my prayers and talking to my friends and fellow residents. I live in an assistant living facility and I see many of my fellow residents that have very few visitors. We all enjoy when people or groups come to our place and entertain us. Out of 32 residents only two of us have family or friends that take us to church on Sunday.
How incredibly similar: about a month ago I cut back on my FB friends; this year my number one resolution is to have a FANTASTIC marriage; and today I was struck by another resolution/goal: to see Jesus in each person—to really SEE Jesus. My marriage is already pretty good, but I want to make it the best it can be.
God bless you, Matt - excellent post. It’s difficult for our world to understand “Why did you unfriend me?” when it tells us that quantity wins over quality.
Personally thought provoking post, Matt. At the beginning of 2010 I created a personal mission statement for the first time. I had done so professionally before, but this was a first for a personal one. It went as follows: “To add stillness to my prayer time becoming more infused with God, that I may heed His voice to live according to His plan within my financial means; to share His love for all through my joyful spirit; and to use my creative talents to reflect His Glory.”
What a ride I was in for. Time spent in Stillness developed into my personal spiritual journal, “Journey Through The Stillness”, being shared publicly on Facebook, and then the development of my faith inspired website and blog.
I have tweaked my mission statement for 2011 and am bracing for the ride! I am a novice with much to learn. I appreciate and follow your blog with great respect. I am wondering how you will be able to filter out new people who you are reaching out to through your faith and media? I understand a core group of close, personal relationships, but I am timid about turning people down who may be reaching out to me because of my faith. My goal is to lead others to Him through Him. I would love some words of wisdom, or a blogpost on this. Thanks again, Matt, for all your inspiration.
I am remembering a quote I once heard: “We have so much knowledge and so little wisdom.” This year is the year I strive for more wisdom and not so much knowledge.
Martha - I wrote a post this week that discusses a little bit about that here: Getting Intimate on Facebook.
God bless you and all in your efforts!
Thanks for the wonderful new year relationship. Hoping for the best relationship ‘til the end if this year. God Bless Dear!!
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