Three Days Without Media

So for my communications class we were required to go on a "media fast," where we had to pick three consecutive days to go without using any electronic media, like my phone, laptop, iPod, radio, TV, etc. So I decided to go on my fast this past weekend, starting Friday at midnight until this morning at midnight.

At first it was kind of difficult to get used to the fact that I was not allowed to have my phone on me or use my laptop. I'm pretty sure you've all had that feeling where you forget your phone somewhere and it just drives you crazy because you're so used to having it on you. Well imagine three days of that. Awesome.

But honestly, after the first day it really wasn't that bad. Maybe it was because I was busy doing other things, such as going to a football game, or cleaning my apartment like crazy before a cleaning check, but I realized something during my media fast. It is pretty much impossible to get away from the media completely. Even though I personally was not using it, it was all around me. My roommates, friends, and pretty much everyone else around me were connected to the media, and because of that I think I still had that feeling of being connected. It was also kind of funny because people kept trying to figure out ways for me to beat the system, like they could check my phone for me, or they could play music loud enough for me to hear, etc. Really? The point of this was not to beat the system! Otherwise I just wouldn't have even done it in the first place. I really wanted to experience what it was like to not use the media and to figure out the effects it actually had on my life.

One of the biggest annoyances of the media fast for me was that I never knew what time it was. I almost always use my phone or laptop to find out what time it is, so I'm pretty sure I annoyed everyone by constantly asking what time it was. There were a couple times I actually had to just guess what time it was from what was going on around me and hope that I got to class on time. Another thing that drove me crazy was that I could not listen to music. Because of this, I practiced the piano way more than usual this weekend, which was really nice. It made me appreciate music so much more and the positive effect that it can have on me.

Although I was going crazy a little bit, there were definitely some good things about the media fast as well. First of all, I feel like I talked more with those around me because that was the only way I could communicate. Second, I realized I really don't need my phone or laptop (including Facebook) to survive. In fact, at some times it was really nice not to have to worry about it. Yes, it was fun receiving 17 texts after three days (even though the majority of those were from my roommates...sigh), but it's definitely not a necessity or anywhere near it. It's way more fun actually talking and doing things with the people around you instead of focusing your energy into typing a message into a little electronic device that can't even capture your emotions, reactions, tone, or anything else. Real communication is way better.

So, to sum it all up, I'm really glad that my professor made me go without media for three days. Crazy, I know, but seriously. I'm going to try to do better about spending less time on Facebook, and more time doing productive things, getting more sleep, and interacting with real people.

True Beauty

I know I've been bad about posting on my blog recently, but I'm going to try to do better. For my writing class, we have to write a research paper about a certain issue that has to do with new media. At first that kind of excited me (not the writing a paper part, but the new media part) because it goes right along with my major, and I thought it would be a great experience for me to get some more knowledge about what I am going to be getting myself into. However, I realized I was having a hard time coming up with something to write about that I was also passionate about. After spending a lot of time trying to come up with ideas for a topic to write about, I think I've finally figured out what it is that I feel strongly about that that I could write an eight to ten page paper on.

The topic I chose is: How do magazines affect women's appearances? For example, their clothes, makeup, cosmetic surgeries, eating disorders, etc. I may end up choosing one of those specific items to write about so it isn't so broad, but that's what I have for now.

I ended up choosing this topic because I felt like it was something that girls needed to hear about. And although probably no one will end up reading my paper besides my teacher and maybe a few people in my class, I thought it would be interesting to see the affect that magazines really have on girls in our society today. It's so sad to see the things females are doing to themselves just to try to look "prettier." And although it may seem foolish to starve yourself or spend tons of money on clothes or makeup, can you really blame them? There is so much pressure on women these days to look perfect. And personally, I think it's ridiculous. You see all these women in magazines or on posters that look perfect - no blemishes, the "perfect" size, expensive clothes, etc - but in reality, that is not how they actually are. They're just like you and I - imperfect, but still beautiful. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being imperfect. That's how we were created. Life isn't a beauty contest. True beauty comes from within.

I just want every girl out there to know that you are beautiful, no matter how old or young you are, no matter what size you are, and no matter how many imperfections you think you have. You are beautiful. Don't let the media tell you otherwise. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Someone sent me this video a while ago and I thought it was perfect for what I'm posting about. It shows the process that a woman goes through, from makeover to photoshop, to be pictured on a billboard. In the end, the girl doesn't even look like the same person that started out in beginning.

You Are Not Forgotten

This past weekend I had the opportunity to hear from the prophet and apostles of my church as I watched General Conference. I always love watching General Conference because it makes me realize the things I need to work on in my life. In addition, it reaffirms the fact that God really is speaking to us and cares about us and the things going on in the world today.

One of my favorite talks from this past conference was by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He spoke about the worth of every single individual on this planet. He specifically brought up four different points to remember if we ever feel like we don't matter. And I'm pretty sure every single one of us has felt like that at some point in our lives, so this information should be extremely valuable to us, especially in those times of loneliness and despair. The four points were:

1) God loves the humble and meek.

It's so easy to let pride slip into our lives, but I think we'll find that as we develop humility, we will be much more receptive to the Spirit and will feel so much closer to our Savior.

2) The Lord entrusts the fulness of His gospel to be proclaimed by the weak.

We don't have to be famous, popular, or talented to be an example and light to those around us. All of us have the ability to spread the word of God. I've found in my life that the more open I am about what I believe, the easier it becomes to share it in the future.

3) No matter your circumstances, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father.

I love this statement. No matter what, no matter how many times you mess up in life, Heavenly Father will not forget you. This is so comforting to me. The most powerful and sacred being in existence loves me. And He loves you. Do not ever forget that. As Pres. Uchtdorf put it, "We are everything to God."

4) What you experience or feel now is not what forever will be.

I love this statement as well. Sometimes I feel like life is going by so slowly, or that my challenges just won't end. I'm not a very patient person when it comes to things like this, but when I look at it with an eternal perspective, I realize how silly I am being. My challenges now will be over before I know it. So I might as well stay positive and enjoy the blessings in my life that I do have, because they are all around me.

I just want to let you know that God loves you. He loves you with a perfect love. We are everything to Him. Absolutely everything. The trials He places in our lives are for our benefit. Pres. Uchtdorf said, "If we do the best we can, all will be well." I know this to be true. The Lord will never forget us. Ever.