On the other side of the hyperlink is someone that wants you to click.
On the other side of the image is someone who wants you to see it as real, or to see the reality that it reveals.
On the other side of the story is someone that wants you to believe that it shows you a truth you should affirm.
On the other side of the argument is someone who wants you to lose, or to sharpen your understanding.
On the other side of the invitation is a table prepared for you, perhaps with sustenance, perhaps not.
On the other side of the conference room is an agenda, perhaps for good, perhaps not.
On the other side of the handshake … is a person.
Too often I forget that free can come with a great cost in attention.
I forget that those inviting me to click are concerned less with my soul than they are with their product or program. Not that they are all evil, though some are. But even good things are distractions.
I find that when I remember that I am being sold to, I can weigh the offer carefully. When I remember that there are people on the other side of the interaction, I have many options for responses, some of which involve “no” or “never” or “what about this alternative” or “leave my friends alone” or “can I pray for you” or [x]. I can consider what they see on the other side, whether they are approaching me as a person or commodity, whether I am an object or a valued being created in the image of God.
I do my best to remember that on the other side of this screen are people with questions and fears and doubts and hopes.
Like me.
300 words a day 
hansschiefelbein
“Even good things are distractions.” This reminds me how important it is to (daily) prioritize my tasks and projects. “Good things” can pull me away from greet things too easily. Jim Collins kind of stuff.
LikeLike
Jon Swanson
that daily piece is huge, much huger than I remember. Thanks.
LikeLike
joseph ruiz
good reminder Hans, Jon so true without a great work, without focus it’s way too easy to be lulled into so many side trips. Thanks.
LikeLike
Jon Swanson
and not being lulled may be what ends up making something a great work.
LikeLike
Jason
It’s so easy to be pulled away, especially when there is something that you don’t want to face. It is hard to focus sometimes, though focus is generally rewarded immediately (you feel like you got something done), and in the long-term (you can accomplish much more than otherwise likely).
There are possible downsides to focus, too, though… you may learn something that changes your life when you do click that link, or whatever else. You may not attend an event that would have taken you to the very place you should be.
Focus is not always better, though a lack of focus can cause you to never move forward, but more just in a circle.
Also, don’t forget that the person on the other side of those things may be a great person, and may, in fact, have the welfare of your soul first and foremost in their mind.
LikeLike