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Beyond Me, My Selfie, and I: Finding Real Happiness in a Self-Absorbed World
You might not know it by observing popular media, but the world does not revolve around “me, my selfie and I”.
Teresa Tomeo, media expert and host of the syndicated radio program Catholic Connection, believes “selfie culture” represents a society that is losing touch with its humanity. In Beyond Me, My Selfie and I, she offers real ways to rebel against the narcissism of modern life and rediscover our relationship with each other, the beauty of nature—and, most importantly, God.
Tomeo explores Church teachings and Scripture passages about self-centeredness versus other-centeredness, as well as the thoughts of Popes John Paul II, Benedict and Francis, all of whom have written and spoken extensively about the proper use of media. She’s also gathered practical advice from a number of media experts on how to find balance when it comes to selfies and other media activities.
Tomeo makes the case for “selfie control,” with advice for moms and dads on navigating today’s media minefields. She’ll also provide research-backed methods for finding real happiness by giving and putting others first rather than staying focused on oneself.
When your identity is focused in Christ—as opposed to yourself—life becomes so much more than fleeting moments of attention. You’ll read inspiring examples of individuals who made a real difference in the world, as well as people whose change in media habits changed their lives—and the lives of others—in surprising ways.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
Teresa Tomeo, media expert and host of the syndicated radio program Catholic Connection, believes “selfie culture” represents a society that is losing touch with its humanity. In Beyond Me, My Selfie and I, she offers real ways to rebel against the narcissism of modern life and rediscover our relationship with each other, the beauty of nature—and, most importantly, God.
Tomeo explores Church teachings and Scripture passages about self-centeredness versus other-centeredness, as well as the thoughts of Popes John Paul II, Benedict and Francis, all of whom have written and spoken extensively about the proper use of media. She’s also gathered practical advice from a number of media experts on how to find balance when it comes to selfies and other media activities.
Tomeo makes the case for “selfie control,” with advice for moms and dads on navigating today’s media minefields. She’ll also provide research-backed methods for finding real happiness by giving and putting others first rather than staying focused on oneself.
When your identity is focused in Christ—as opposed to yourself—life becomes so much more than fleeting moments of attention. You’ll read inspiring examples of individuals who made a real difference in the world, as well as people whose change in media habits changed their lives—and the lives of others—in surprising ways.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 14, 2020
The title is excellent. The book however is ... ummm ... a disappointment.
If the reader is a Catholic then this book would not be a disappointment. But I am not a Catholic, and 'issues' became 'vices' very quickly. Challenges became sins.
I'm not hugely interested in sins and vices. I am interested in why some people behave like bastards. So if you are interested in how institutionalized religion manages people with vices - this is your book. Otherwise - enjoy the title.
If the reader is a Catholic then this book would not be a disappointment. But I am not a Catholic, and 'issues' became 'vices' very quickly. Challenges became sins.
I'm not hugely interested in sins and vices. I am interested in why some people behave like bastards. So if you are interested in how institutionalized religion manages people with vices - this is your book. Otherwise - enjoy the title.
April 5, 2018
A much needed book for our troubled times. Looking outside ourselves is the answer to happiness. Teresa has a gentle way of reminding us that it isn't about us after all.
Enjoy this book! I did.
Enjoy this book! I did.
January 18, 2017
Here’s a book that I though I could sink my teeth into, at least at the outset. Catholic author Teresa Tomeo, who has journalism experience (as do I), has written a screed about the perils of social media and just how narcissistic it has become. Beyond Me, My Selfie and I: Finding Real Happiness in a Self-Absorbed World is the kind of book that has been written for these Pokémon GO times. At the risk of sounding like a Luddite or an old man waving his cane to get those pesky children off his front lawn, the book — at least, at the outset (do I repeat myself?) — gives readers something to chew on as the times they are a’changing and maybe not for the better.
Tomeo posits that our craze for taking countless selfies in order to find true love and self-worth in the world is doomed to be a failed experiment. (Of course, the only way to happiness is through God and Jesus Christ.) However, the book is less of a road map for readers wanting out of the social media maze — even though it boasts mid-chapter quizzes for self-reflection that seem more pulled from an issue of Seventeen than anything rich, sadly — and more of a tirade against those who are completely, well, selfish. The targets are easy: the couple that kept taking pictures of themselves on their cellphones while Tomeo and her husband travelled in northern Italy, Kim Kardashian and her book of selfies called Selfish, and the secular media that feeds into this particular craze. Still, Tomeo’s message feels important and relevant.
Tomeo is definitely onto something and taps into a sort of concern about how we are using technology (not very wisely). I totally agree with a lot of her assertions — at least, at the outset (there I go again). I don’t take selfies, but reading this book caused me to go to a prayer meditation session at my church just to get out and connected with “real” people. And it’s that kind of connection that I find myself craving. It’s far too easy to constantly be checking in with my Medium stats counter to see how many of you are reading these things that I write, and I know that I check my smartphone way too often before going to bed — a habit I’m trying to break out of. So when Tomeo rails against people taking pictures on amusement park rides without a concern for their own and other people’s safety, I’m with her. I’m totally with her.
And then she had to bring homosexuality into the argument.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
Tomeo posits that our craze for taking countless selfies in order to find true love and self-worth in the world is doomed to be a failed experiment. (Of course, the only way to happiness is through God and Jesus Christ.) However, the book is less of a road map for readers wanting out of the social media maze — even though it boasts mid-chapter quizzes for self-reflection that seem more pulled from an issue of Seventeen than anything rich, sadly — and more of a tirade against those who are completely, well, selfish. The targets are easy: the couple that kept taking pictures of themselves on their cellphones while Tomeo and her husband travelled in northern Italy, Kim Kardashian and her book of selfies called Selfish, and the secular media that feeds into this particular craze. Still, Tomeo’s message feels important and relevant.
Tomeo is definitely onto something and taps into a sort of concern about how we are using technology (not very wisely). I totally agree with a lot of her assertions — at least, at the outset (there I go again). I don’t take selfies, but reading this book caused me to go to a prayer meditation session at my church just to get out and connected with “real” people. And it’s that kind of connection that I find myself craving. It’s far too easy to constantly be checking in with my Medium stats counter to see how many of you are reading these things that I write, and I know that I check my smartphone way too often before going to bed — a habit I’m trying to break out of. So when Tomeo rails against people taking pictures on amusement park rides without a concern for their own and other people’s safety, I’m with her. I’m totally with her.
And then she had to bring homosexuality into the argument.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
May 22, 2020
Self-centeredness and selflessness, enhanced by the modern worls of (social) media - a good thing or not?
It depends. A good servant can turn into a bad master, as they say. And selfies can often serve as a merit of self-value. Depends on many factors, among them insecurity, vanity, pride, manipulation from media, your values (and your family values) and other ones.
The authoress dealss with these factors (often using her personal experience as a journalist) to remind us than one should verify the information, considerate the manipulation (including self-manipulation and the way we perceive ourselves) and to think and act selflessly. Selflessness shifts the limelight to others, which (done healthily and with love) can help us to deal qwith our messes and find the true joy.
Also the look of an experienced - and Catholic! - journalist (with work xperience for the secular media under her belt) is both incredible and very educative.
It depends. A good servant can turn into a bad master, as they say. And selfies can often serve as a merit of self-value. Depends on many factors, among them insecurity, vanity, pride, manipulation from media, your values (and your family values) and other ones.
The authoress dealss with these factors (often using her personal experience as a journalist) to remind us than one should verify the information, considerate the manipulation (including self-manipulation and the way we perceive ourselves) and to think and act selflessly. Selflessness shifts the limelight to others, which (done healthily and with love) can help us to deal qwith our messes and find the true joy.
Also the look of an experienced - and Catholic! - journalist (with work xperience for the secular media under her belt) is both incredible and very educative.
September 14, 2018
Good to read a sensible reflection on the self-obsessed world and how you don't have to be a part of it.
July 23, 2016
Beyond Me, My Selfie, and I
Finding Real Happiness in a Self-Absorbed World
by Teresa Tomeo
Franciscan Media
Servant
Christian
Pub Date 09 Sep 2016
I was given a copy of Beyond Me My Selfie &I through the publisher and their parnership with Netgalley in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:
Beyond Me My Selfie and I reminds us that we live in a self obsessed world. A world where Selfies are a way of life and according to a Baylor University Study in 2014 sixty percent of College Students are addicted to their phones. Teresa Tomeo reminds her readers f the importance of putting our devices down and spending time away from our smart phones, tablets and computers and spend time appreciating the real world around us.
The author uses the term the Selfish Syndrome to describe how selfish self absorbed much of society has become. We are reminded too that shows that are my thing but wholesome have become what young girls watch, they look too Kim Kardishian as a role model but the way her life and exploits are portrayed are anything but wholesome.
The Sucess of the Low Budget Christian film War Room shows us that people are looking for a change though.
Teresa Tomeo goes on to report that image based platforms like Instagram, SnapChat and Selfie.im has become a leading force in the rise of plastic Surgery in those under the age of thirty.
I give Beyond Me, My Selfie and I five out of five stars.
Happy Reading
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews