I've been in summer school for going on three weeks now. (it sucks) One of my classes is Art Appreciation. And one thing I've learned in art appreciation is I don't really appreciate art. (it's just so boring)
However, I love learning and have found somewhat of a comparison between art and Facebook. Go ahead and call me crazy but if you keep reading what I'm rambling you just might see it too.
This past week we have been learning about Pablo Picasso.
Ring a bell? Let's hope so.
Picasso is a very famous artist from the 20th century, he started the art movement called "cubism."
I know what you're thinking, "blah, blah, blah." My thoughts exactly.
When people think of him they think of what a deep genius he was with the creations he put down on canvas.
But let's take a closer look:
This painting is called, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" meaning the young ladies of Avignon, originally called, "The Brothel of Avignon."
At first glance this art piece kind of looks like five beautiful women in their most natural and vulnerable state with their curves and porcelain skin. At least those were the pure thoughts that entered my head at first sight.
The piece is actually of five prostitutes that were apart of a brothel. You see, Picasso was a bit of a womanizer. He was fasinated by prostitutes and did lots of paintings of females in the nude. That was his passion.
Am I judging him? No.
Would I agree if someone called him a pig? Maybe.
Okay enough with the boring art history lesson! How does all this tie into Facebook? Well, just like Picasso's painting, I looked at it and saw one picture then learned that I was completely wrong. Just like scrolling through your newsfeed.
Sometimes you look at people's Facebook accounts and think to yourself, "wow, they really have it all."
Oh you don't?
Well, I don't believe it's just me!
Yesterday at lunch after something quite close to a break down I told my parents, "It just seems like all my friends have it all together except for me." (now reading my own words I believe I sound quite silly) But I really feel that way sometimes.
Facebook is kind of like a battle field of bragging and the ammo being used is people throwing stuff in each others faces.
ex:
Look at my awesome vacation.
Look how pretty I am.
Look how big my muscles are.
Look how skinny I am.
Look at this delicious meal.
Look at how happy me & my gf/bf are together.
Look at how awesome my grades are.
Look at my new puppy.
Look at all my cool toys, clothes, cars, etc.
Look at my wedding or engagement & my sparkly ring.
Look at how perfect my kids are.
Look at how great my pregnancy is coming along.
Look at all the money I made in tips last night.
Here's a pic of all your good friends hanging out without you.
Here's a pic of your ex with their new girlfriend.
Here's a pic of someone you once loved whose a stranger now.
HEY I DO IT TOO! It's somewhat of a trend right?
But doesn't it suck, the moment you look at what someone else has and realize what you're missing?
I have some friends that have deleted their Facebook accounts because looking at it just made them feel sad and discontent.
(If you deleted your or don't have a Facebook, take a moment & pat yourself on the back. I applaud you!)
But honestly, it makes me feel the same way sometimes.
Even myself, I have deactivated my Facebook because I get sick of the nonsense but eventually wind up back on it to talk to a distant friend or my curiosity gets the best of me.
But the moment a person (and yes us girls are famous for it) post a sad or sappy post/quote/status ALL OF A SUDDEN they're dumb or annoying or depressed or they're bringing you down so... delete!
But shouldn't we praise the brave souls that publicly announce, "Hey Guys, I am human, I'm at a crossroads and I don't have my sh*t together!!!"
I know that sometimes I wish I saw more of that so I could press "like" and say, "Amen sister!"
Sooooooooooooo,
Let us dust off that old dictionary of ours and look up the definition of "deception"...
de.cep.tive
adjective
: giving an appearance or impression different from the true one;
misleading.
Do you ever see people post an ugly picture of themselves on Facebook with the caption, "Hey, I'm having a really bad day, I'm bloated and my face is broken out and here's a picture to prove it."
LOL!(just envisioning that kind of made me laugh)
If you answered, no, then ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!
But It's true. People don't generally post on Facebook about how bad their lives suck and what they're insecure about.
This is why Facebook is deceptive!
Yeah, it may look like that gorgeous girl and her "oh so charming" boyfriend have it all in their perfect world but who knows? Maybe she's waiting for an engagement that's never going to happen. Or maybe he's just sitting in a relationship he doesn't know how to get out of.
Or maybe you've found your prince charming and your happily ever after but he's over seas serving our country and his sacrifices leave you lonely, missing him for months or years at a time.
Or maybe your a single mom raising a child a little sooner than you expected wishing you had a man in your life to stand by your side and help.
Or maybe you're jealous because you're 25 and married and you can't get pregnant yet all these teenagers keep popping out babies.
Or maybe you don't have the money for college and your jealous of the one who can.
Or maybe you're the one in college who can't figure your major or future career and your jealous of the one who knew exactly what they wanted to do the day they graduated high school.
Or maybe your upset because you can't find a job in this economy yet, so & so over there is working three.
Or maybe you're the one working three jobs and you wish you could just sit at home and relax for a moment or two.
Or maybe you're jealous of the rich kid whose parents gives them anything and everything their little heart desires when really they're lacking a relationship with both of their parents and that's all they really want.
I could go on and on with scenarios I've noticed over time of people who look like everything is going perfect for them but they are fighting their own battles. The point is not everything is picture perfect. Life on Facebook may look like "Pleasantville" to the eye but you never know what lies underneath.
Like for example:
I get compliments on how pretty and classy I am.
(you might say to yourself, she must agree if she's writing about it!)
NO.
I get complimented on how pretty my skin is but in high school I fought really bad acne. (*thank-you mom for driving me at age 16 to every dermatologist in town*)
I have my insecurities and I fight my own battles. Sometimes I feel pretty & ladylike and sometimes I just feel ugly & weird.
oh, you want proof?
here are two pictures of me.
1) all dolled up. lots of make-up, curled hair, good lighting.
2) reality.
hahahahahaha, see?!
I'm not all that pretty & classy, friends. And if you know me really well... you know first hand just how weird I am. But I am learning to embrace it because that's how God made me.
Well, even though I have to tell myself this constantly, not everyone is as put together or perfect as they seem, you including!
and hey guess what? THAT'S OKAY!
Coming from a Communications and Psychology student like myself, this was just an observation I made.
Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree.
I'll leave it at that.
even though it's been over a year since my last post, I am going to try and start blogging more.
xo. ashlee
