Social Media Mindfulness or 5 Tips for the Facebook Frustrated

As most of you know, I spend a good part of my spare time time moodling about on Social Media - blogging, posting, tweeting, linking in - sharing photos, ideas, recipes, tips and sometimes expertise (ahem)  - and connecting with friends and colleagues in my town and across the globe. I play some Farmville, comment on current affairs and endlessly discover online kindred spirits who share myriad interests (digital hugs to you all!).

Lately, many of my online friends - largely other middle-aged rurburbanites like me, (that's rural-suburbanites - I'm coining a new phrase) - are lamenting the recent changes to Facebook, and feeling bombarded by continually evolving and ever-expanding Social Media and technology options. (Why do I capitalize Social Media? I do not know. Perhaps I'll stop).

So I'm going to take a coach/geek approach and offer a bit of a framework for the Facebook Frustrated. (Yes, there are five points in the framework, but these are not the tips - those are still coming - settle in and read on).

1. Social media is about relationships. Real ones. Realationships (coining another phrase!) 
2. Like all relationships authenticity, engagement and listening are key. Positivity doesn't hurt, either. Experts agree.
3. Choosing to use social media is like choosing to use any other tool. Pick the right one for the job. 
4. Define the job. 
5. Adapt as needed.

What's your purpose for using social media? For the sake of what?
For me, social media is about connecting, participating, supporting others to grow toward their goals and discovering new networks for shared expertise and passions. (Now, as you know, my passions tend to run in the direction of the quotidian, but still...).

I also have a 'Big A' Agenda. Which is all about personal transformation - the continual claiming of new territory for myself - increasing my range, expanding my scope, feeding my soul.

So I choose to use social media mindfully. With purpose and intention. With an eye on my Big A Agenda. So, here are my 5 Tips:

1. Choose new tools when --- and IF ---- they interest you or move you toward your Big A Agenda and goals. New stuff can be edgy. Be sure it's worth it.
2. Lean into your networks - on and offline, for help, advice, support. Find the conversations thatt matter to you. Listen to what the key influencers and your connections are saying. 
3. Consider your resources - do you have the time, capacity, technology and know-how - and, more importantly, the DESIRE to engage in or learn a new system? (see #1)
4. Align your use of social media with what is important to you and integrate with your existing personal and digital systems.
5. Digital tools are changing all the time. You will never 'know' it all. Let me repeat that, you will never know it all. One more time. Never. So let yourself off the hook.

And, if you're getting frustrated, feeling overwhelmed or even a bit fearful - first, take a breath. Then make a plan.

Oh, and 'friend' or 'follow' me. I'm happy to hold your digital hand while you cross the edge.

Simply Sundried Spread

This blog post is for Maggie, who is an inspiring example of health and happiness! We chatted some at a local Chamber of Commerce luncheon recently and discovered we are kindred - in that we share a love for rice cakes. Yes, some claim they taste like cardboard laced with styrofoam (sourpusses!) but Maggie and I agreed that they make our day - especially if you're starting the day sans toast.

So I'm sharing with Maggie (and all the rest of you) one of my absolutely favourite recipes for a spread/dip that is healthful, packs a big flavour wallop and will be devoured by clean food fanatics, vegans and even unrecalcitrant carbo-loaders. You know who you are. Plus it's perfect atop a rice cake.

This one is from the recipe book ExtraVeganZa. (I just sooo love that name. Truly creative)

Sundried Tomato Olive Spread, on a humble brown rice cake, topped with avocado.
Clean and delicious.

Sundried Tomato Olive Spread

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, ground
1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
1 cup sundried tomatoes
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until the ingredients become a paste. Serve as a dip with brown rice crackers, as a spread on rice cakes, or toss with warm pasta.

Note: The ExtraVeganZa recipe calls for 1 T of sherry. I use lemon juice as a substitute as my clean food regimen is alcohol-free - *hic*.