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
