How You Show Up Matters
Hi friends,
Every so often, I like to pause and share a handful of reflections that have been on my mind—ideas about how we see the world, how we shape our surroundings, and how we keep learning and growing. This time, I’m writing about the pitfalls of generalizations, the surprising control we actually have over our social media feeds, the quiet impact of how we “show up,” and the beauty of blooming in our own unique way. I hope these thoughts encourage and inspire you!
Honorable Living
Generalizations rarely help anyone. I remember reading a comment on a post essentially saying, “South Carolina is terrible.” Someone asked for details, and the person shared a litany of discomfort and hard circumstances. Certainly her experience in South Carolina was nothing to celebrate. And yes, some of what she shared had to do with culture and climate. Even so, her limited experience in one town—and the poor choices of those around her—did not mean the entire state was terrible.
The world is full of variety. One location may help someone thrive, while another may feel life-draining. Perhaps it would be better to say, “This area did not align with our needs, but many people are happy there.” That spirit of honesty without judgment can apply to so many things—churches, jobs, neighborhoods, even restaurants.
Ongoing Learning
That thought about variety leads me to something else—how we filter what comes into our lives. Recently, I learned you can actually retrain your social media algorithms by adjusting settings related to sensitive and preferred content. Pairing that with the small choices we make in the moment—such as tapping “see less of this”—really can shift your feed toward what’s life-giving instead of draining.
Here are some resources if you want to try it yourself:
Fluff Busting Purity (for Facebook desktop)
It takes some effort to “fix your feeds,” but the retraining is well worth it for a more pleasant experience.
Power Skills
And while we’re talking about what we take in, let’s not forget what we give out. At a casual bakery/café I frequent, the attendant once asked me, “Where are your little flower things?” She had noticed that I usually brought small touches—flowers, décor, something to brighten the table—when I worked there. That day I had less with me, and she missed it.
It struck me that something I did simply to warm up my temporary workspace had unexpectedly lifted her day. It was a reminder that how we “show up” leaves ripples around us. We’re not responsible for everyone’s response, nor do we have to lock ourselves into certain habits. But it’s wise to remember that our presence makes a difference—for better or worse—in the lives of those around us.
Enthusiastic Exploration
That idea of showing up leads naturally to the joy of exploration. Recently, Keith and I visited Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, both for personal enjoyment and as part of some scouting work for On Purpose Adventures. Keith noticed a single shoot on a Crepe Myrtle tree—distinct, blooming all on its own, even while other parts of the tree were more dormant.
It was such a vivid picture of staying grounded in your roots while also allowing your uniqueness to shine. Sometimes the most meaningful exploration is not about going far, but about noticing what’s right in front of you and letting it remind you to bloom where you’re planted.
For You From Me
Speaking of exploring, I created some free discussion prompters you can use with friends or family to spark deeper conversations. Feel free to download and enjoy them:
Discussion Cards PDF
Until next time, stay hopeful!
Beth
