The “Season of Giving” is upon us and New Year’s Day is right around the corner! As we prepare to say goodbye to 2018, chances are many of you are already thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s to eat healthier, spend more time with family, or save money, we all have things that we want to improve in our personal lives for the upcoming year. We should all strive to continuously improve our lives, the lives of others, and the communities in which we live. But in today’s hyper-digital world where US adults spend nearly half of a day interacting with media, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hostility and negativity in the news and on social media.

Social media has become a cornerstone of modern communication, offering people around the globe a way to connect with a diverse group of people they may not have ever met in real life, shining a light on serious issues that have not received enough attention, and mobilizing activism. While this presents an opportunity for learning more about other people and cultures, for some it becomes a soapbox that often leads to useless bickering. In fact, the Pew Research Center found in a recent survey that 59% of social media users say “their social media interactions with those with opposing political views are stressful and frustrating.”

While it may feel satisfying to shoot off a snarky quip at someone whose opinion differs from your own, in reality, nothing will have changed. Rather than perpetuating the cycle of stress and frustration, maybe it’s time to take a break and volunteer in your community. The world is a dark and scary place at the moment, but performing selfless acts for those less fortunate and spending time with other “helpers” reminds us that there is beauty to be found too.

As you consider your New Year’s resolutions for 2019, think about all of the opportunities you have to make this world a better place to live. Kindness is contagious and might have a bigger effect than you could ever have imagined.

From the LanYap Networks team, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!