life... edited

some people say that family blogs and facebook profiles aren't authentic because they're "life... edited." and i can see how that's true. people certainly brag about their cars, homes, jobs, and wonderful families even though they're up to their eyes in debt, spend their evenings fighting, and feel sad and alone. they only show the "good" stuff and don't show how life really is.

however. i don't think everyone who writes about good things going on or expresses gratitude for what they have is being fake. and maybe that's part of it: maybe i'm not seeing the fake people or i'm not one of them because i've spent a lot of time and energy in my life keeping away from those people and their drama. but even still, the questions i have are these:

• where's the line between being "fake" and sharing too much?
• in hopes of being authentic and "real," how does one guard against complaining or focusing on the negative?
• if we don't want to share too much personal stuff, how do we maintain a real image when we're going through tough times?

i guess the thing that bugs me the most about people being so hung up on facebook and blogs being "life... edited" is that i don't really see it. or maybe, it's that i don't really care. it bugs me because it doesn't bug me. if that makes sense. what are people supposed to post? pictures of themselves first thing in the morning with bed-head instead of a pretty easter picture all dressed up? status messages about cramps and bad breath and sweaty feet? comments on statuses saying: i don't care about your dog/kid/problems?

i joke... but i do realize that being "authentic" doesn't mean being a jerk. maybe it's about not commenting: "i'll pray for you," when you have no intention of doing so. or maybe it's not sending virtual bouquets to people you'd never talk to in real life. or not praising Jesus in your statuses and denying him in your actions.

i don't know. maybe what you post and what you comment and how you fill you profile says more about you than you realize. maybe being fake online just means you're fake in real life too.

and maybe the people who are so aware of "edited" lives are the ones who edit their own lives or fear what people think about their own authenticity.

but really, i don't expect to know the real truth about someone who isn't my close friend. i don't think it's appropriate to share your business with the world. i like facebook. i like people's blogs. i like knowing what's going on. it's light. it's small talk. it's acquaintance-level chit-chat. i don't need to know the gritty details and i don't think i should.