Faith and Relationship

We are in an era of so many distractions. Every day we are bombarded with all kinds of alerts from emails, cell phones, Facebook, twitter and other social networks. Our jobs, families, friends, social and religious commitments also compete or demand our attention such that there are days or weeks we feel completely exhausted and or disgruntled. Consequently, one may decide take a break from social media and watch something relaxing on television. Within minutes, you are bombarded with more commercials than you have time for. How do we deal with all of these? The challenge for me lies in learning the art of balance. According to Cornell University's Steven Strogatz, social media sites can make it more difficult for us to distinguish between the meaningful relationships we foster in the real world, and the numerous casual relationships formed through social media. By focusing so much of our time and psychic energy on these less meaningful relationships, our most important connections, he fears, will weaken.

Life is all about relationships. Beginning from the time we learned to interact with our parents and siblings while growing up, to how we formed relationships with friends, classmates, colleagues and co-workers over time. Our modern understanding of relationship has become more inclusive. Nowadays talk about relationships also includes the way we treat animals and the environment. This is why, in 1987, the United Nations World Commission of Environment and Development defined sustainable development as "a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and the institutional change are in harmony and enhance both current and future generations to meet their needs." Relationship is unique and dynamic but regardless of who or what we are relating with, there is a profound peace which comes from living a balanced life. A balanced individual understands the difference between doing and being, being abstract and concrete, and being active or passive.

As a woman in initial religious formation, I have been thinking a lot about how my relationship with God is connected with how I relate with others and all of creation. I have come to realize that it is important for me to set healthy boundaries that will continue to help me maintain a close relationship with God.  I have no desire to be caught up in the distraction and consumerism imposed by information and technology. It is not that I dislike social media, it has undoubtedly brought about many good things. On the other hand, research has shown social networking has many pitfalls. Apart from the fact that social media has contributed in making relationships more abstract than concrete, research has shown that people are becoming more isolated and youth are developing related health conditions among others.

We are balanced by listening, respecting the dignity of others, and expressing our feelings constructively. A balanced lifestyle does not come without effort. As a Christian, I will continue to strive to model all my relationships after the example of Jesus whose relationship with others was grounded in deep care, compassion and forgiveness. My relationship with God and others is deepened when I am attentive to my thoughts, feelings and actions. Relying on God’s providence, I will focus on the things that make me happy, demonstrate respect and care for the earth and which bring Glory to God