I put a lot into building up this blog and perfecting how I wanted it as a project. I wanted it to look a certain way, and to reflect who I am as a writer, as well as just a person in general.

Therefore, taking a little break to live my life and not focus on pushing out content two times a week or making sure I get a certain number of views has been refreshing. These past few weeks have been exciting and thrilling and more than I had ever wanted. Instead of trying to document it all and show it off to the world – I have decided to live the moments as they come and take them in fully. I realized the dangerous road I was taking towards becoming someone I was not.

I think this is such an important reminder for myself and this generation in general. I am as guilty as everyone else with trying my hardest to put up and keep up this façade of perfection and constant stimulation. I think there is something meaningful in people taking ‘social media’ fasts and ‘unplugged’ Wednesdays. We crave authentic connections and time away from the consistent chatter and noise the world makes. I spend my nights scrolling through my phone, looking for something, anything to stimulate my mind. I’ve forgotten how to ride in an elevator with a stranger without scrolling through Twitter. I sit with groups and groups of people who are more preoccupied by the Tasty video on Facebook than the friends they haven’t seen in months.

Why do we do these things? Why do we no longer spend Saturday mornings reading our Bible or favorite book without Instagramming it? Why are we posting quotes about self-love and being a “girl boss” but spending hours upon hours envying everyone around us?

Why? Simply because we can and we have been told that we have to.

The world has become a wonderfully advanced and amazing place. Creative minds have become powerful and heard, and people are reaching and reaching for unity. If we crave this authenticity so much, than why do we push it away for the materialistic connection a viral video brings? Why are stranger’s opinions so important to us when the ones that love us are being pushed to the wayside?

Our hearts are missing the truth. Our minds are being clouded with the idea of false happiness. Our lives are a reflection of what others think they should be.

There is a selfish notion in this world circulating the internet, TV, radio that being accepting and loving others will save the world. I am not claiming this is not essential – but the idea that simple love will prevail against the evils in this world is a false hope. Self-seeking acceptance has become the norm in our society. You are not accepted if you do not accept. To me – it is senseless to believe that we ALL need to believe in the same ideals and values. That we need to become this perfect archetype of a loving, caring, all-accepting human.

Because sadly, we are not even touching the surface of this. There is a façade being thrown around by my generation, as well as others, that we are solving the world’s problems with honey words and tolerance. This, however, is being so miserably contradicted with our need for deceitful worship of ourselves. I see this with the need for bloggers and Instragrammers that will pay hundreds of dollars and spend hours upon hours ‘following’ and then ‘unfollowing’ people – simply to gain the recognition of showing their support and taking it away. This is translating into the real world. We unfollow people we can get angry at them. We don’t like a photo because we are blinded by the jealousy. We create an antithesis of ourselves publicly to ensure we are seen as accepted and loved. We proclaim our love and tolerance of others ONLY to ensure us, ourselves are being accepted and loved.

The world will not be saved by love if the only love we are truly pursuing is the love for ourselves. Telling others they should love and accept will change no one’s mind. Why are we so worried about altering other’s opinions when our own hearts are so far from what they should be? Our empathy has become clouded by messiness. I know my solution for a selfish heart is to seek God and his truth. However – I am under no impression that all that are in this world will find that peace and grace.

If only we could just remember this: The opposite of love is not hate; it’s selfishness.