Admittedly, it’s taken us some time to embrace this platform. Like many people, we are concerned about the spread of false rumors and malicious stories that social media makes so easy. But then, there social media offers some great benefits too: connecting with others, finding long-lost friends, staying in touch with busy family members, seeing what the grandkids are up to. 

As long as we’re all vigilant, it’s possible for us to rise above the shadow side of this medium, educate ourselves about how to tell the difference between facts and lies, and hold ourselves to a high standard. (Our favorite tidbit of advice: If a headline makes you really mad, it’s probably a good idea to check out its veracity before sharing. Adversaries are using hot-button issues to polarize us. Ironic, given that we’re using these tools in hopes of connecting! We must not let them tear us apart.)

While the platform itself should be navigated carefully, Ink & Images and Facebook users are a perfect match. After all, people use things like Facebook to tell their stories, and that is what Ink & Images is all about. If you’re on Facebook and other social media, you probably are well aware of the desire to share with others about your life, and how good it feels when that sharing results in connections. If you don’t use Facebook, perhaps it’s because you’re frustrated by some of the downsides: Facebook stories disappear from your timeline as seasons and years pass; plus, there’s so much noise online that your stories might be getting lost even in the moments that they’re featured prominently on your page. And, unfortunately, it can be dangerous to share too many details of your life so publicly.

Whether you choose to engage in social media or not, consider telling your stories in other ways, too. There’s much to be gained, for yourself and posterity, by taking the time to put your life stories in writing, in a thoughtful and deliberate way. Stay tuned for ideas on how to get started. Meanwhile, click here to sign up for our newsletter, and be sure to “like” and follow us on Facebook!