Usage of Social Media at the Cost of Our Dreams

Social media has become an integral part of our lives; virtually connecting to the world is the first and the last activity we do daily.
Whenever we are doing something, we make sure we inform the world — I am flying, I am eating, I am watching a movie, I am walking along a sea-side; we even inform everyone (both friends and strangers), when we leave home for a few days. (In the past, people were scared to let the world know when they are not at home for fear of thieves!)
We make a lot of friends on social media, post photos and videos and we constantly check out the number of likes and comments that we receive. We are even more interested to know what is happening in others lives.
We spend our precious time ‘liking’ their activities, commending, wishing, arguing and so on. What more, people even use social media to wish each other on birthdays or on anniversaries. But, in spite of all this, we never ever bother to extend a helping hand to a friend in need.

Social media is a blessing to get connected to your friends, relatives and to make new acquaintances. But the sad part is that, addiction to social media has eroded the meaning of life. Man is a social animal and it’s humane to build new relationships.
In the earlier days, when we get into a bus or train, we start talking to the person(s) sitting next to us. They share their views and ideas about the world and slowly, we bond with them. I even have a friend who later married the girl who sat next to him during a travel. Idle times were used to build relationships and to plan the future.
But today, social media defines free time. While travelling, instead of chatting with our co-passengers, we open Facebook or Whatsapp to get connected online. We don’t gain anything from this addiction; in the long run, we build a cocoon and alienate ourselves from the rest of the world.

We may be proficient at making friends online, but striking a friendship with a stranger in the real world becomes difficult for us. Gradually, we lose our personality.
Dreams Make Us Succeed
As India's former President Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said, “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”
During our childhood, whenever we travel or sit idle, we used to dream a lot — about career, personal and social goals. There was no limit to our dreams — owning a Mercedes Benz, running a company, living a respectable life, doing good for the society, becoming a strong leader…the list goes on.
I cannot recollect how many buses I have designed in my college days during long journeys. I used to dedicate my free time either to socialize or to dream or to read; all these gave me inspiration to live and succeed in life.
As said, aim the sky to reach the top of a tree and this aim should be combined with dreams, which never allow us to sleep without accomplishing the same.

The addiction to social media has taken a heavy toll on our children. They forget to dream and they get disillusioned about their goals in life. It takes away their social well being and restricts them from reaching new heights.
It’s high time that we limit the use of social media and utilize our leisure time to dream about our future, what we want in life, what we want to achieve and keep manifesting our life goals. Every dream is a manifestation of our thoughts and it is this dream which will take us to new heights.
Never use social media at the cost of our dreams, but for the benefits it is meant for.
Ratheesh R. Nath
Managing Director
Paradise Holidays Cochin
Email: director@paradise-kerala.com
Mobile: 9947876214
