Filters

I’m sharing with you this stripped-down makeup-free photo of me. The photos I post on social media are filter-free with the exception of some Snapchat posts because I have enjoyed the variety of lenses and graphic backgrounds. I have nothing against filters or people who use them in their social media. It’s all a personal preference so to each their own. With the power of makeup, I can conceal and hide any imperfections. I can also enhance other features to lure the eyes away from anything I don’t want you to see.

If there is anything I could use a filter on are the words that can come out of my mouth. Preferably the thoughts that come to my mind before they escape out of my mouth. The saying think before you speak comes to mind and being told this growing up and even telling myself this now as an adult. I have a tendency to react first which immediately reflects in my facial expressions and posture then the words follow that correspond with the expression. It can be both good and bad reactions. If it’s something I find funny I can get the immediate urge to share, but then it’s like wait can I really share this? I find it funny and hilarious, but I have a feeling not everyone will view it the same way. Then there’s the other side of this when it’s something being said or done against me or someone I love, a text, a post, or anything that I don’t agree with or feel defensive about that it can go sideways very easily if I allow my emotions to take over my thoughts and words.

Sometimes it takes me stopping and taking a breath, a distraction, walking away, getting angry, crying, or venting to someone to get to the realization that reacting in this manner is a waste of time, energy and the stress of it is literally detrimental to my health due to my disease. It doesn’t always happen right away it can sometimes take a sleepless night before I come to my senses. Once I let the reaction out of my spirit, it is released and my mind is once again free of unnecessary chaos.

So I will continue to learn how to use filters not only in photos but in any area of my life where it requires it.