Outside of Facebook and other social media platforms threatening to absorb too much of our precious time, there is another reason many of us consider quitting social media sometimes: it can be downright depressing. And scary. And hurtful. And boring. And useless.

 

 

There is a whole lot of fluff floating around the social media world, and too easily that fluff can seep into our brains and turn us to mush. It can sap our motivation and slay our momentum; catch us up from pursuing what’s truly important in our days and life.

As a mother, scrolling through a Facebook feed can leave me antsy, anxious, and fearful as my eyes scan over, at rapid speed, all of the hurt and evil in this world. I can click out of that Facebook feed leaving not the least bit encouraged, and all the more fearful for the world my boys are growing up in.

 

 

So why do we stay?

 

I believe there is some good to be unearthed in the world of social media.

In the nooks and crannies, in between those crevices where we have to search a little bit to find it—beauty can be found. I want to make it more readily available.

It is a dream of mine that Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and all these other areas our minds occupy throughout these days—that they would offer some good to our lives, and be a place where we can share beauty and inspiration with others.

That’s why I’m presenting this challenge to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers—to anyone who cares for a child.

 

 

The #936pennies challenge.

 

If you’re not familiar with the 936 Pennies message, read this post. It’s about a jar of 936 pennies I was given once, and how it forever changed how I parent. Each penny represents one week we have with our child until they turn 18. The challenge is to invest those pennies, or weeks, to their fullest potential, cherishing each one and breathing the most life into them as possible.

 

 

Here’s how you can join in:

 

Every week on my Facebook page, I’ll post a new #936pennies challenge. Take a photo that represents the theme for that week, and share it on your own Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media feeds. Be sure to include the hashtag “#936pennies”.

As more photos are shared around the internet with this hashtag, it will build a beautiful collection of photos, all painting an incredible portrait of what it looks like to intentionally invest ourselves in the time we have with our children.

You can be a part of creating something worthwhile and positive on the internet. Let’s put an end to the fluff and the fear, and create something stunning!

 

 

Are you with me? Here is this week’s challenge:

 

1. The theme: Take a photo of your child (or grandchild) learning something new
2. Share it across your social media platforms, including the hashtag #936pennies

 

This is a collective project. So let’s get going and create something awe-inspiring.

 

{ Today my boy learned that some baby plants emerge from the ground all yellow, then grow up to be green! #936pennies }