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I hear people say all the time, “I don’t care what anyone thinks.” But the research and science would beg to differ.  In the book, entitled, “Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives,” the authors make the suggestion that everything we think, feel, and do are connected to that of our friends three levels removed; in other words, your happiness depends in part on your friends’ friends’ friends.

Here are the facts of one study:  if someone becomes overweight, their friends were 57% more likely to become obese, and the friend of the friend of that obese person was about 20% more likely to become overweight.  The same kind of influence happens in the case of a friends’ friends’ friend who smokes.  So how do your friends influence your language?  Your relationships?   Your sexual behavior?   Your spending habits?

Is it possible that maybe we do really care what are friends say and think?  The evidence is strong.  If our friends “like” it, it changes our behavior.  We love the “Like” button or a favorable comment on a post.  But sometimes being a real friend means disliking, rejecting, or standing against something that contradicts your own values and beliefs. 

I get it, it’s easy to get caught up with the crowd, go with the flow, and not want to make waves.  But if we want to promote positive change in our social circles, whether personally or online, maybe a little more discretion is necessary before we hit the “like” button? 

“Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God." 3 John 11