Time and Energy

It was the spring of 2009. Facebook life was good. You would post what you ate, post a funny meme, or help circulate amazing marvel movie rumors. In 2009 I asked my future wife out on Facebook. Life was good.

Today I feel like going on Facebook has become a walking minefield. Every other post is someone arguing with someone else. To be honest, I have begun to avoid Facebook if only because the arguing has gotten worse as the Presidental elections get closer.

In my personal time of prayer and scripture, I found this saying, "If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different- they'll love you for it! Save your breath for the wise-they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know- they'll profit from it. Skilled living gets its start in the fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God. It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen. Live wisely, and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you." (Proverbs 9:10)

The way the scripture hit me was profound. It reminded me of my mother's old saying, "It's like talking to a wall." There are some people you will dialogue with, and they will be a wall. Someone that will ultimately not be a positive experience, but possibly abusive. There are some conversations that we enter that no mutual dialoguing will happen. The discussion will not be fruitful. The result will be painful, aggravating, or enraging.

Learning to engage in discussions that will be fruitful for all parties is important. It is a skill I urge all college students to learn. Why? Energy and time matter: that includes communication. To engage in topics with a person who refuses to listen is futile. I feel a part of Proverbs 9:10 is learning to use your energy and time right. It is important to learn to engage with people who will listen and connect in such a way that both parties leave wiser from the discussion.

We can never go back to the past. Things change all the time. Facebook and our country have changed to be places of mountains shouting at each other to move. We can use the moments we are living in to grow. We can learn to use our time and energy well. We can make our communication productive.