We've often talked of millennials as narcissists and center-of-the-universe beings, concerned primarily with self-gratification―this leaning to constantly project themselves as
a-OK and on top of the world, especially among their peers.
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| Image credit: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/ pictures/2014/10/7/1412679646851/Krispy-Kreme-doughnuts-014.jpg |
Their selfie photos, foodie adventures, love-love fashion
brands, must-have gadgets―these
they've nonchalantly bandied about on Facebook, their tweets and blogs.
Guess who's caught on? With a few exceptions, almost all of
us―yes, even baby boomers―have joined the bandwagon. Age
gaps have been blurred. Those in my generation oftentimes find ourselves
pitching FB images which we would have been embarrassed to crow about during our time, like
one's new mani-pedi, up-do or vroom-vroom, or the ooh la la (read: branded) presents
received on a recent birthday.
Parents shower their children with too much praise, to the
delight of FB friends returning the applause many times over. Lolos and lolas (I'm one of them. Mea culpa!) call everyone's attention to their
grandkids' cuteness and smartness. Uh-oh! We need to heed psychologists'
warning. Heaping too much
praise on kids contribute to self-centeredness. Uber-narcissists in the making?
Oh no!
Hollywood, mass media and the internet have craftily and
subliminally motivated us with viral and graphic images of pleasure: Traveling far and wide. Dining
like there's no tomorrow. Keeping one's youth. Enthroning Kim Kardashian and
company. Proclaiming Caitlin, aka Bruce, Jenner, a hero.
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| Image credit: http://panpacifictravel.com.ph/wp-content/ gallery/slide/indian-travel-packages-5.jpg |
This excessive affirmation of one's goodness and physical attributes
as well as this need to gratify our pleasure points―have they led our generation to believe that
everything is permissible? "If it feels good, do it!"
What does the bible say about these?
1 John 2:16―For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 Peter 2:11―
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as
strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul…
That we can enjoy
life and its blessings is a gift. We've been created with emotions and physical
senses. But to crave for and be in love with things and carnal experiences (which
are here today and gone tomorrow)―or desire to gain approval or applause by
men, rather than God―is vanity, a chasing after the wind.
Lest we forget, we
too are spiritual beings; and must be led more by the Holy Spirit, whose fruit
in us manifests through self-control―along with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23).
