The Butterfly Circus

Dear Friends,

I assume you have noticed by now how technology can be a blessing and a curse. A blessing to keep in touch with friends and read each other's thoughts, but a curse when social networking hinders our opportunity for actual face to face interactions. A substantial amount of our rising generation struggles with eye contact and real life conversation because they only practice communicating through texting and other social media. I recently read an article about the way such an overload of media (many consumers experience around 12 hours each day!) changes the way our brains function. In a fast-food world where so many things happen at the click of a button, it is no wonder to me why ADD and ADHD is diagnosed in children more frequently than ever. I get to work with many of these children at my family center.

Social media is addictive, causing a similar process in your brain as what happens with other addictive substances/sources. I have felt the powerful addiction of this source many times; I often have to strive for balance, and just take a good old-fashioned "social media fast" every now and then. Trust me, it's a great thing for me. I feel so much more productive on those days. And life is rich when I share it with the people surrounding me in my circle of everyday life.

But my focus of today's post is not about the negativity of technology. Let us praise the fact that technology can be used for good. For truth. For peace. For building the kingdom of God on the earth during these latter days. Wow, what a powerful tool we have. Missionary work is done through inspiring members who blog about love, service, family, and pretty much anything pertaining to the 13th Article of Faith.

And so many people who are not LDS are inspired to go about doing good. They have the light of Christ in them, and they inspire me to be more than I am. Emily has been telling me for weeks to watch this short film, and like anyone with a schedule would, I kept putting it off. I am so glad I took a few minutes on Wednesday this week to watch it. It really touched me. I had no interruptions and watched it to the end, which I believe will give you the full experience.

Please watch this my friends. It is about 20 minutes but will be well worth your time. You might want to have some kleenex nearby.

"You do have the advantage. The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph."
                                              - The Butterfly Circus