only about his business successes, never mentioning the problems he’s experiencing.


Image Crafting versus


Perspective Crafting


by Lauryn Peterson I


recently ran across the term image crafting in a discussion of social me- dia—that is, promoting a selective or


even false image of yourself through a network like Facebook. You’ve probably seen image crafting in action. Perhaps a close friend of yours is embroiled in a difficult relationship, but she posts only the most affectionate photographs and statements regarding her significant other. Or maybe another friend posts


Contemplating my own relation- ship to social media, I wondered about this phenomenon and how we can reframe it toward a more constructive reality. Instead of viewing image craft- ing as misleading or false, what if we thought of it as an opportunity to select what gets our energy and attention online?


Of course, there is some wisdom


to “crafting” a specific image of yourself online if that image is easily accessible to your professional contacts. But I am more interested in the choices we make regarding encouraging or critical language. When I’m typing a response or an update, I am reinforcing my view of reality through my words. If I’m hav- ing a bad day with my spouse, I can go online and make cryptic remarks about our troubles or even overtly complain about him, or I can use this public forum to focus on what my spouse has given me that day. Naikan practice asks us to view our experiences through the answers to the following questions:


What have I given ________? What have I received from _________?


What trouble or harm may I have caused _______?


The holidays are


notorious for bringing out stress in relationships, and some of the steam from that stress can be seen online.


During the holidays, social media sites often bubble with statements of grati- tude, intentions for the new year, and reflections on the past. But the holidays are also notorious for bringing out stress and strain in relationships and families, and some of the steam from that stress can be seen online. This season, a help- ful exercise to keep your perspective online might be to ask yourself these three questions before posting any comment or status. Try this exercise for three days, and see what happens!


Lauryn Peterson is a certified instructor of Constructive Living at the Asala Center in Chattanooga, where she also teaches yoga and belly dance. Contact her at lauryn. peterson@gmail.com. See resource listing, page 37.


Lauryn Peterson


LIFTING OUR COMMUNITY


Your family’s health is about more than just calorie counts and physical fitness. It’s about enjoying time with one another, connecting with neighbors and giving back to the community.


With a focus on developing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being and promoting community outreach, the Y is a place where every member of your family can come together to get healthy, connected and inspired.


Stop by your neighborhood Y today and see how we’re coming together to make our community a better place.


The Y. So Much More™


YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHATTANOOGA ymcachattanooga.org


natural awakenings December 2013 19


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