I saw this on Facebook yesterday (Minimalism is Simple posted it), and since it goes along with what my heart’s desires, I re-posted it without thinking too deeply about it.

Then a friend of mine asked the question, “Where does Facebook fall on that list of essentials Courtney ?”

My initial thoughts was… “Ouch.”  Then, I let go of my pride and began to think about the question.  Does it fall into my list of essentials?  I mean, it’s just a website.  A website that so many (including myself) spend a lot of time on.  I’ve gotten off of Facebook a few times, and I really enjoyed that time.  But I will say that I felt so disconnected.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Facebook can fit into my list of essentials because my essentials would be somewhat broad.  One of the most important things in life, to me, is relationships.  Relationship with Jesus, my husband, my children, my family, my friends, and those that God calls into my life to mentor or be mentored by.  So, Facebook does fit here because with life being so busy, I end up having a lot of good relationship building through Facebook.  That might be sad, but it is what it is.  I have a lot of “friends” that I met online years ago and are some of the best friends a girl could have.  Yep… all online.

I used to think that the internet was good for nothing… a time waster… a way to feel guilty because I cannot do all that others do (or say they do)… a way to show off… But as I’ve taken time away from it, and as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that for me, it is a beneficial thing.  It can be a time waster… a way to feel guilty because I cannot do all that others do… a way to show off.  But, it doesn’t have to be.  I have days in which I’m probably online too much, and days in which I’m not online at all.  And at this point, I’m okay with that.

So as I think about what my four essentials are, I feel as though I’m already focusing on them pretty well .  They are: 1) Relationships (with Jesus, my husband, my children, friends, family, those that I mentor and are mentored by), 2) Service (serving God by teaching my preschoolers, teaching and loving on Junior high students, and most importantly, my family), 3) Health (real food nutrition, reducing toxins, etc), and 4) Intentional and simple living (reducing the unimportant and pursuing the essential).

What would your four essentials be if you had to choose?