Recently, while waiting in my doctor’s office, I found myself scrolling through my Facebook feed. I stumbled upon a meme that read, “All this arguing over my invisible man is more important than your invisible man.” It struck me how social media has amplified our access to a wide range of opinions, judgments and conspiracy theories, which entangle us in trends, social causes and mass movements, sometimes at the expense of our spiritual well-being.

More often than not, social media lures us away from what truly matters—our inner peace and spiritual growth. The meme I encountered garnered over 3,000 likes, illustrating the allure of divisive content. When we immerse ourselves in the toxic “us vs. them” environment social media has become, we risk losing sight of our spiritual journeys, which thrive on acceptance, understanding and personal introspection.

Faiths and beliefs flourish best in an environment where they’re unquestioned. Exposure to differing viewpoints can cause us to question what we’ve been taught. When we see individuals projecting on social media that they are living fulfilling lives based on beliefs different from ours, we may wonder about the validity of our convictions. Despite the enlightening benefits of questioning our beliefs and values, it can also lead to confusion, particularly when we’re introduced to secular content packaged as “this is success.”

Engaging with content that contradicts our principles can erode our faith and lead to moral ambiguity. Our social media feeds can be flooded with negativity, including:

• Pornography that distorts intimacy
• Divisive political rhetoric that creates anxiety and fear
• Incessant comparisons with seemingly perfect lives
• Racial discrimination 
• Bullying by trolls 
• Content design to make us want to buy more
• Media outlets intentionally manufacturing fear

As I’m sure you likely have observed, possibly experienced firsthand, we’re experiencing unprecedented dissatisfaction and hopelessness, largely due to the comparison with others online; hence, one of the most profound ways social media interferes with our spirituality is by distancing us from our personal experiences.

Due to its addictive nature, social media frequently leads us to spend too much time scrolling through content that numbs our senses and overwhelms our minds, inhibiting the self-reflection essential for spiritual growth. The more we become consumed by social media and engage with curated content, the more we risk losing our personal narratives as we’re not exploring our respective history, confronting our emotions and trying to understand our story. 

Instead of turning inward, many, notably our youth, seek validation and inspiration from virtual strangers and neglect the quest everyone should be on, finding meaning and purpose in life, which isn’t to be found on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, et al.

Although many social media accounts promote the notion of positivity and self-love, the ideals promoted tend to be prescriptive rather than liberating. The pressure to conform to certain lifestyles or beliefs hinders spiritual exploration. Moreover, the “cancel culture” phenomenon, along with several other self-claiming “progressive movements,” suppresses open discussions about spirituality. Many people avoid spiritual conversations or expressing one’s beliefs due to a fear of backlash. The possibility of facing hostility and our inherent survival instinct to go along and get along prevent many from exploring their spirituality freely, resulting in a superficial understanding of spirituality.

Ask yourself the following pivotal questions:

• Am I prioritizing my spiritual health with my heart, time and energy?
• Does my identity and validation originate from my beliefs and values or online popularity?
• Do I allow social media to distract me from meaningful connections with the people around me?
• Keep in mind that social media is not inherently detrimental to our spiritual journeys. There are countless inspiring voices, without any self-serving motive, on social media platforms that encourage us to add more meaning, creativity and beauty to our lives. The key is to curate your online experiences to align with your spiritual aspirations.

Navigating the intersection of social media and spirituality requires mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness is how you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors online and offline. This awareness helps you discern when social media is serving you and when it’s detracting you from your spiritual growth.

The benefits of regular self-reflection can’t be overstated. Connecting with our inner selves and clarifying our spiritual beliefs can be achieved through journaling, meditation or simply being present, which, when done with intention, can counterbalance social media’s distractions, fostering a deeper connection with your spirituality.

Ultimately, spirituality is about finding meaning, acceptance and connection in our lives. It’s a journey that can be nurtured online and offline if approached with intention and care. Consciously reducing the influence of social media on your spiritual life requires thoughtfully making ‘yes and no’ decisions, a decision-making exercise that’ll give you a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

As you journey through the digital world, keep in mind spiritually aware individuals lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Engaging mindfully on social media is how you protect your spiritual journey, allowing it to flourish in a world where many benefit from creating distractions and divides. The path to a happier life is achieved by your choices offline and online—choose wisely.

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on X/Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

The post If you allow it, social media can interfere with your spirituality  appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Nick Kossovan

Brené Brown American professor, author and podcast host, once said, “Empathy fuels connection.”

Empathizing with someone, especially with their concerns, is how you build strong relationships. Interacting empathically with employers is a competitive advantage since few job seekers do so.

All hiring managers have concerns. The times you weren’t hired were likely because of a concern(s) your interviewer had that wasn’t addressed during the interview. 

Employers don’t care about your “whys” (concerns); they care about their “whys.” As a job seeker, focusing on an employer’s whys will help you establish a connection with the employer and differentiate you from your competition, who, for the most part, are focused on their whys.

There are three hiring facts job seekers would be wise to keep top of mind:

      •     Employers don’t hire opinions (of yourself).

      •     Employers no longer consider a candidate’s potential.(Employers aren’t in the business of growing careers.)

      •     Employers don’t hire employees; they hire solutions. 

Therefore, don’t waste precious resume/LinkedIn profile real estate or interview time offering opinions about yourself, trying to sell your potential and not providing solutions. Instead, boost your competitive advantage by empathizing with employers’ three fundamental hiring concerns.

      •     Will you fit the company’s culture? 

Interviews are conducted primarily to determine whether you’ll fit the company’s culture, not just to assess your skills. Whether it’s fair or not, employers generally hire based on the “fit” they believe a candidate will be to their culture.

Job seekers need to accept that the hiring manager knows best whether they’ll fit (read: is compatible) with the company and employees and that they’re not entitled to inclusion. Skills and experience are easy to evaluate and assess. (testing, reference checks) However, being deemed a “fit” is subjective. While you can’t control the final “Yes” or “No,” you can influence the possibility of receiving a thumbs up by:

      •     Before an interview, become familiar with the company’s culture and visualize yourself working there.

      •     Speak the language. Every profession has its share of expressions and jargon — insider language — that, when used, implies “I’m one of you.”

      •     Dress as if you already work for the company. All companies have an unofficial dress code, even if they have an official dress code. Know both and dress accordingly.

A better option is to conduct your job search by prioritizing finding where you belong, which is the best compass a job seeker can use. Don’t look for a job. Look for where you’ll be accepted. Think: “I’m not looking for a job; I’m looking for my tribe!”

      •     Are you able to hit the ground running?
Imagine a leaking pipe in your basement. Who’d you want to fix the leak? An experienced plumber who can fix it quickly or a less experienced plumber who’ll have to spend time figuring out how to stop the leak? When we deal with someone highly experienced (e.g., a painter, mechanic, lawyer, medical professional, waitress), we’re more likely to experience [high] quality work and service compared to someone who is just starting.

All jobs exist to solve an employer’s problem, like generating revenue, maintaining and growing their client base, meeting government safety standards and keeping profit margins healthy by purchasing raw materials at the best prices.

When an employer posts a job, whether newly created or to backfill, the problem the job addresses currently exists, like the pipe leaking in your basement. Understandably, employers seek candidates who can provide an immediate solution, are self-starters with proven skills and experience and have the confidence to take initiative without handholding.

Therefore, throughout your job search — networking, applications, your resume and LinkedIn profile, and especially during interviews — provide examples of when you were a self-starter and took the initiative. Give examples of times when you figured out what needed to be done and got it done without involving your manager.

      •     How will hiring you make them look? 

When making a hire, the stakes are high. Bad hires are costly. Have you ever considered this: What impression will you make on the hiring manager’s boss, leadership team and current employees if you’re hired?

I’ve made my share of bad hires. Firsthand experience has taught me that making a bad hire doesn’t reflect well on me. Hiring managers will inevitably make a few bad hires, but they should be few and far between.

Having their boss and the rest of the company doubt their hiring skills (read: judgment) is the last thing a hiring manager wants, something you should deeply empathize with. When preparing for an interview, ask yourself, What makes you the right candidate for the hiring manager to put their reputation on the line? Throughout your interview, speak to your answer.

Once, inspired by a line Tom Cruise spoke in the 1990 film Days of Thunder, I said to my interviewer, as we were wrapping up, who’d be my boss and who I felt was unsure about me, “I won’t make a fool of you.” The following day, the position was mine. Several months later, while having coffee in the company’s cafeteria, he said that line was what sold him.

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary piece do not necessarily the express the opinions of The Cincinnati Herald.

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