For those who crave comfort, relief or a temporary escape, social media’s evolution has undoubtedly provided an opportunity for more highs. Addicted and reliant on platforms such as Instagram (I know, the irony), some use metrics such as likes, followers, engagement, shares, etc. to measure their worth – and overall happiness. Going viral can further validate our existence. But, if there’s anything we can learn from the recent pandemic, it’s that something viral can make us silently suffer.⁣⁣ ⁣ There are many positives to social media – I can attest to this in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, for some, it’s another channel to determine their worth. Having a large platform, I have learned that not everyone will understand, accept or like you – just like the real world. Everything you share on a public forum is subject to unsolicited opinions, analysis, misinterpretation, manipulation, etc. If you interpret other people’s actions and statements towards you as facts about yourself, you’ll always suffer at their hands – and quite frankly, lose your identity. Both admiration and abuse can be plenty.⁣⁣ ⁣ The global atrocities and daily adversities we face can shift our beliefs and actions. We can often fall victim to our own hypocrisy. With that said, we can all do and be better to align with our fundamental values and vision for the world. There are highly influential figures who have harmful beliefs – you’ll find that they’re not operating through love, but fear and indifference. Some would say that they deserve to receive the criticism they get.⁣⁣ ⁣ Nevertheless, no one is an inherently bad person – we’re just distant from love (our true nature). And, we can look to the past to see that abuse and shame have never forged genuine love. In other words, you cannot help someone find love by continuing to take it away from them.⁣ ⁣ Constructive opinions can help us rise – you’ll know which ones come from a genuine place of care and concern. Accountability can serve our growth. But, looking for approval through others is counterproductive. Listen, but don’t cling. Furthermore, know yourself, your true nature, enough, to realize that no words can define you.⁣⁣ ⁣ #VexKing