Beyond FOMO.

For some reason, I journey to the most random and sometimes dark places of cognition in the wee hours of the night. It’s usually after I get up to pee around 2am and then lay awake, wrestling with my thoughts for a while until I reach that coveted moment of repose that whisks me back to the peaceful ether from which my bladder awakened me. More than once, I’ve allowed myself, in these dark and quiet hours, to play out the movie reel of my life and, assuming I’m fortunate enough to “go the distance”, project what I may or may not get to experience, participate in or even observe as the years progress and as my personal clock winds down. I’ll think about my second child heading off to college (next year), empty nesting, places I’d still like to travel, and so on, but usually, I play the story way out and fast forward to the statistical end, right before the credits roll. I’ll think about what life might be like when, say, my kids are around my age now. For example, when my youngest turns 50 (I recently turned 48), I’ll be 80. Gulp. Who knows what the future holds but maybe [read: hopefully] my kids will be married with children and living happy and healthy lives of mission and purpose. As I approach the mid-century mark, these thoughts become more amplified and I suppose that’s normal but I think about how much life I still feel I have in me and how much more I want to accomplish (God willing). When the fear of missing out (FOMO) creeps in, again usually in the stillness of the mid night, I think about how I don’t want to miss out on what my children and (hopefully) grandchildren and even their children, will end up doing with their lives. I want to be a part of it all! Even now, as I write this, after a double cappuccino and with full awareness, I realize how frivolous and idyllic this is but hey, it’s FOMO nonetheless.

We now live in a world where we always know what we’re missing out on. Thanks to Facebook and all the other “anti-Social” mediums out there, we are reminded that life is AWESOME for EVERYONE, all the time. I recently heard an early Internet pioneer refer to a term I’d yet to hear of called “Social Peacocking” which is the side of us that we prefer to showcase online; our most photogenic, handsome/beautiful, happy and picturesque side. I like to refer to this as, “Me v.2.0”. The virtual me that has been pilot-tested, void of all bugs, and running (or shall I say, gallivanting) without error or default through my glorious life. It’s me without my double chin or my love handles or bad angles. It’s me, perfectly void of any envy, resentment or ugliness. It’s the best version of me you get to see if you Friend me. Isn’t that fabulous?

Question: What is at the core of your FOMO? 

As I sit here and really think about what I’m scared to death of missing out on, it’s not another happy moment or social gathering. It’s not even missing out on some exclusive opportunity or experience. My deepest fear is the fear of missing out on my unique mission or purpose in this life. Problem is, I’m so focused on the “pursuit of happiness” that I’m afraid my real purpose may be postponed by my lack of perspective! In other words, if I could really see me like God sees me, even for a moment, I am certain I would see my true potential. I wonder if I’m stuck because I’m not listening? I wonder if I am willing to silence the literal noise as well as the endless narratives in my head that bring confusion, doubt and insecurity and meditate instead on His narrative for my life? The battle for my mind, my potential, my future and my purpose is real. It’s real for you too. 

Challenge to you and me: I dare [us] to take a moment, even now, to silence all noise and pray and ask God to reveal His will and purpose for your life. Let's at least invite Him in on the conversation (regularly) and see if He brings clarity...

I love this verse and pray this narrative over my life and yours!

John 15:16 – “ You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last”.

Let’s go get it!