I have had a hard time getting started on this week’s entry here. I have had a number of false starts mainly due to my recent change in attitude towards how I approach social media. The last few years, I have spent a lot of time on social media mainly sharing photos that I take while out on hikes or runs or during backyard stargazing.

I have also shared my views on politics and world events. I have been sharing more and more of my views in this area and realized that all this talking, arguing, and worrying about politics on social media was not beneficial or relevant to anything that I actually care about. I was caught up in all the meaningless back and forth fear mongering and sales pitches.

I took a break from social media at the end of last week and have not been back since. It is refreshing to be away from all that noise and blather and I highly recommend getting away from it. Nothing, truly nothing, is being accomplished on any of those platforms, except for the further dividing of us. No good comes from arguing and worrying about things that are beyond our control. Trying to convince another of why you are right and they are wrong is not productive or healthy for yourself. The best that you can do, is to talk about your views and why you have them and let others take it or leave it.

Being away from social media has given me time to think and take a step back from the gladiatorial arena that social media has become.

The tag line for my blog comes from a quote that was attributed to astronaut Dave Scott, the commander of the Apollo 15 mission, in the HBO series, “From the Earth to the Moon.” “Exploring beautiful places is good for the spirit,” has been a guiding thought for me these past few years. Up until recently, I have tried to reflect that in my posts on social media. I let politics and division get in the way of my true interests. This weekend helped me to see that I had strayed and allowed me to get back to what is really important for me. I am going to get back to that path and share more of my exploration of “beautiful places,” wherever they may be.

This does not mean that I am any less concerned with the way I see things going or changed my political opinions. It just means that I will no longer waste my time in social media arguing. My views are what they are and I do not have to justify them to anyone.

So, with that said, I highly encourage everyone to take a break from social media. Go find those “beautiful places” to explore. We’ll talk more if you like…Thanks for your time…