This is the next installment of what I learned on my 40 day Social Networking fast. This was a pretty big lesson for me and one that really is taking some time to click...but one to which many can relate. Turn down the noise! There is so much noise in our lives: smart phones, laptops, mobile apps, social networking, jobs, families, TV, hobbies, etc. So many thongs fight for our attention and we will give our attention to that which is most important...that is unless the noise in our lives is drowning out the most important elements of our lives.

 Think with me for a moment; you're watching Wheel of Fortune with your family, you're guessing the right answers and smoking the competition in your home, the puzzle is solves, Pat awards the prize and they cut to a commercial...this is the time for everyone to talk. So the kiddos chime in and say something profound, then your wife shares something she read on Facebook, then you realize you can't hear anything because the commercials are so loud. You turn down the TV just as everyone finishes their stories and the show comes back on...and you can't hear a thing.

What do you do? You crank up the volume.

Then you solve the puzzle, Pat awards the prizes, they cut to commercial, the family starts talking, and again you can't anything because the volume is so loud. And the cycle begins.

Sometimes we need a mute button for our lives. Sometimes we need to turn down the volume and shut the world out, so that we can focus on that which is most important. Fasting helped me to turn the noise level on some areas of my life and focus on the people that matter most.

If you find yourself unable to focus your attention because the noise levels are so high, take heart, turn down the volume and reduce the distractions in your life...so that you can see what needs to be seen and focus on the things that are of the greatest value to you.

Grab the remote of your life and hit the mute button for a moment while...life will be here when you get back. It’s not going anywhere.

1.      Priorities are everything.

2.      Quantity is no match for quality.

3.      The social space is meant for being social.

4.      Find your voice….and let it be heard. 

5.      It’s not all about you (more specifically…it’s not all about me)

6.      We’re just friends.

7.      True relationships can happen in cyberspace.

8.      Turn down the noise and listen…

9.      There is life beyond facebook and twitter.

10.   I need to do this more often.