Clearing Negativity from Social Media

Time and time again, I hear people complain about negativity in their social media feeds.  These rants typically include something like, “I need to clear some negative people from my friends list” or “Why do people post all of their business on Facebook and/or Twitter?”  I used to find myself making these same comments, and feeling frustrated by what I perceived as the negativity of others.  I thought if I just deleted those “friends” that I would feel better, and enjoy my social media experience more.

In January of last year, I set the intention not to write anything negative on social media.  After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I had a laser-like focus on my thoughts and words.  I was put back in touch with the time-tested truth that our thoughts, beliefs, and the words we speak create our reality.  In addition to going through a mental review of my internal and external negative-speak, I spent some time going through my social media feeds.  This time, I wasn’t focusing on what others were saying; I was solely focused on holding myself accountable for the words I was using.

While the majority of my posts were positive, I was surprised to see just how many little negative comments I had made.  The fact that the majority of my posts were positive didn’t inflate my ego one bit because I knew that was only because I hadn’t publicly shared many of the negative thoughts that trampled through my mind on a regular basis.  Let me be clear on what I mean by “negative posts.”  I mean any posts that are judgments of others, express intolerance, lack of compassion, unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy, guilt, or blame (to name a few).

The other day, I went back through all of my social media posts to check on whether I adhered to the intention that I set just over a year ago.  Something in me knew that I must have because I was enjoying connecting with friends and family on Facebook (my primary social media network) much more.  Instead of causing me frustration, the negative words that others wrote incited compassion and prayer from me.  Indeed, after reviewing my posts for the last year, I had stuck to my intention.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much putting out only positive energy shifted the energy around me.  This included not only my social media life, but my physical life as well.  As I started posting positive quotes, and sharing words of inspiration, I began to notice the same from others.  Although I didn’t do it to receive any recognition or acknowledgement from others, on more than one occasion friends reached out in private thanking me for the positive word of encouragement.

I share this story to illustrate the power of our word.  Every word we speak, and thought we think, creates our reality – literally.  We are all artists, with the power to create anything we desire with the power of our word.  The world is our canvas, as many great teachers have said.  We cannot expect to only experience positivity in our life while continuing to put out negativity into the world in either our spoken or written word.

In the book The Four Agreements, a book based on Toltec wisdom that outlines the agreements in life that are essential on the path to personal freedom, shamanic teacher and healer Don Miguel Ruiz lists “Be Impeccable with your word” as the first agreement.  He defines this agreement in the following ways:  (1) Speak with integrity, (2) Say only what you mean, (3) Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others, and (4) Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.  The last two are particularly relevant for the social media discussion.  If we focus on not using the word to criticize or gossip about others, and only focus on spreading love, slowly but surely we will watch the environment around us shift to a more positive one.  Not because anyone else changed, but because we shifted our perception.

Do I still have negative thoughts?  Absolutely.  But, when I do, instead of posting a complaint, frustration, or judgment on social media, I go into meditation and prayer.  I know that any feeling of upset is a signal that I need to realign myself to my True Nature; the unconditional Love and Peace of God in which I was created.  I also remember the intention that I set to not put negativity out into the world.  I release and let go of my frustrations via inner means verses external ones.

As you review your posts on your favorite social media outlets over the last year, notice the ones that were not used to uplift, spread love, or otherwise contribute to the common good.  Don’t dwell on them; forgive yourself and set a new intention.  Each day brings with it a new opportunity to live in integrity and in full alignment with the unconditional Love of God that we were created to express.  What intention will you set going forward for how you use the power of your word online?

Keep shining!

~Kandace

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Kandace Jones
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BLOG: http://kandacejones.wordpress.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/livinginthelight
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/queenkandace

About the Author: Kandace Jones

I used to live life shackled by fear, doubt, and worry. I put on a happy face while navigating my day-to-day duties, but I was emotionally drained, stressed, and unhappy. When I hit rock bottom, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I was determined to live life differently. I knew there had to be another way. Out of that determination, and guidance from Spirit, the "Living in the Light" blog was born. It documents my spiritual journey out of the darkness and into the Light. After nine months of publicly sharing my journey, and consciously releasing my attachment to the ego, I experienced a powerful spiritual awakening. I went from living in fear, doubt, worry, and stress to complete inner peace. My greatest passion has become assisting others on their own journey to inner peace. My spiritual memoir, From Stress to Peace: An Intimate Journal on the Journey from Living in Darkness to Living in the Light, is available now on Amazon and BN.com. Click the tabs at the top of the page to learn more about the From Stress to Peace 21-Day Challenge, Living in the Light Retreats, 1:1 sessions, and the Living in the Light Community - all of which are designed to support your journey to inner peace. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog and look forward to supporting you in any way I can!