PRACTICE WHAT YOU POST…

When I was a kid, my social network was called “outside”☺.  Today we have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  There is nothing like the speed at which we can now access current affairs, keep in contact with old friends, meet new people and let our voices be heard.  Did you know that Facebook has become so popular that there are more people who use it than live in the USA?!  In fact, if the users of Facebook made up their own country, they’d be the 3^rd largest nation on earth – with a population of over 400 million.

 “You are what you do, not what you SAY you`ll do”, said the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung, more than 100 years ago.  “Practice what you post”, said someone on Instagram a week ago, and that got me thinking…

Before social media, life seemed simpler, uncluttered.  You knew what you alone were having for dinner and hours in a day were more productive and focused.  No scroll-and-click distractions.  You hunkered down and worked, or played, or read a good book – without thinking what you might be missing.  And you knew people, warts and all, not just their happy highlight reels, yes, those ones that move you to discontentment with your own life…

I love positive social media posts – heart-warming stories, pictures of kids as they grow, announcements of milestones, thoughtful reflections on life…One of the great strengths of social media is business marketing, and over the past few months this factor has played a huge part in our studio`s growth and success.  Social media is good.

Most of the time…The downside is, that unfortunately, social media sites have become mediums by which many people are pretending to be something they are not – we call them social media hypocrites.  A hypocrite is someone who puts on a mask.  They play a role in order to get a crowd to believe something which is not true.      

All of us put on a mask at some point, but nowhere is pretending to be something you are not more prevalent than on social media.  We see it daily – people who put on a mask of kindness and compassion on Facebook, while being ugly and uncaring behind the scenes.  When no one is watching they are scheming and cursing, but on Facebook they post Bible verses and quotes.  Then there are those ignorant, passive ones who believe that when they press “like” on what the Dalai Lama said, then they have done their good deed for the day, spreading peace and positivity…If your social media persona does not match your real life, you are a social media hypocrite.  End of story.  Let me explain it like this:

Essentially Facebook is a place where people tell other people WHO THEY ARE.

Well, actually it`s a place where people tell others who they THINK THEY ARE…

Well, actually it`s a place where people tell others HOW THEY WISH OTHERS THOUGHT THEY WERE…

I think the problem lies in this – for most, social media is an outlet from their everyday mundane life.  We live in a world of false realities.  We can tweet spiritual tweets and show pictures of our meals on Instagram, but we should always keep in mind that that`s only presenting a small slice, often the best slice.  We are never responsible for what other people think about us, but we are completely responsible for what we portray to the world. The question we need to ask ourselves is this – are we really presenting who we are or are presenting an idealistic version of ourselves?

The other problem is, that privacy appears to give people a boldness that they might not be able to muster in real life.  We all know such people.  Their timelines are filled with reaction and raw emotion.  Opinions are wielded like swords.  Public figures are skewered with aplomb, contrary views are vigorously opposed.  We call THEM armchair quarterbacks – all they do is sit (on their ass that is) behind a screen (oh what a safe spot that is), quoting and preaching and criticizing and scolding and promising, not meaning what they say and saying what they mean, not practicing what they are posting and posting what they are practicing…

A few months ago, my daughter, Mariné, wrote a controversial piece for The Student on Netwerk 24, in which she elaborated on the anti-victimhood culture that was part of her policy while running for the Student Council.  This article was applauded by many, but also strongly criticised by quite a few of the liberal students on campus.  One specific guy slaughtered Mariné’s views in long essays on Facebook, Twitter and Netwerk 24.  However, when she accidentally came face to face with him one day in the cafeteria, he literally ran away from her☺☺☺!

In his book “Power to become”, professor David A Bednar says: “People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they ARE what they preach.  According to him, it’s 99% practice, 1% preach. In all aspects of life – from religion to fitness.

I think what makes our studio’s online workout videos believable, is that it’s no different from our classes.  It’s exactly who we are what we do and what we stand for.  Of course it has been rewarding and amazing to witness how our Instagram followers have grown since middle January, from 198 followers to a proud 1415 today, but in the end, It’s not about likes, comments or heart emojis – it’s not about comparing ourselves to others, it’s being authentic and true, relatable, yet real. 

In a recent interview with Time magazine, the international supermodel, Gigi Hadid said:  “I think it’s so important to practice what you preach – whether you’re into riding cows to work or eating a burger after boxing, just do what you’re telling your fans you’re doing because you have to be real with them because they look up to you…”

Social media CAN be a great tool if used in the right way.  Imagine the power we hold in our hands by a simple click and share button.  You CAN inspire and brighten up someone`s day by simply sharing one thing that might just be what they need to hear at that very moment.    

But: Think twice about what you say.  And do not be afraid to say who you really are.  Practice what you post. Show your authentic self to the world and I assure you the right people will love you for it.  But don’t just say it.  Do it.  And be it. Practice what you preach or change your speech☺

Yours in fitness

Mirna

082 779 0507