New Consciousness Review Spring 2016 | Page 27

OUR WORLD Just last year, I was approached by Camden, a friend who had previously advised me against expanding my social media platform. He was amazed by what I had done but worried that if he tried to do the same thing, it would backfire, and he would wind up having to put all of his energy into something that didn’t help him or his client base. I encouraged Camden to pursue more involvement in social media as long as those actions felt as if they were in alignment with him and with his vision. I told him that I viewed the business opportunity of social media as an extension of my true self, so I made using it into a spiritual practice, and I hoped that he would do the same. Putting energy into a community creates a greater positive feedback loop than putting energy into a solo venture. We talked about how I integrated social media into my life and my business practices and what I avoided. I focused on how I try to remain honest and true to myself even on my professional accounts. If I allow a separation between my business and personal accounts on an internal level, I find it much harder to keep the balance. If instead I allow my personal and professional values to integrate across my social media accounts, I’m better at maintaining the balance necessary for integrity. Social media, when used both personally and professionally, allows for such a great public expression of positivity and energy. Camden had seen a lot of professional accounts that only focused on the business aspects of what social media can help you gain, without seeing what it can help create within a community—or even how it can help form a community. Running social media for your business doesn’t have to—and shouldn’t—feel like work. It should be a connection with your have. Social media isn’t a narcissistic practice unless you make it one. It’s community building and networking for both business and friendship. By using our professional accounts to also discuss ideas and concepts that matter to us personally, we open ourselves up to greater opportunities for raising awareness about our businesses or about something we are deeply passionate about, such as a cause, charity, or fundraising event. I look to social media as a way to ask how I can be kind, loving, positive, and of service to my community. 27 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW I look to social media as a way to ask how I can be kind, loving, positive, and of serv