Today is the fourth straight Monday that a number of us have been spreading a bit of love on the social networking site Twitter. #LoveMonday is a staggeringly simple idea- you encourage three of the people you follow on twitter, they feel encouraged, and then pass on the love to three more.
On the whole the concept has been very popular, and one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it is very pleasant indeed to receive one of the encouraging messages.
Some people have wisely pointed out however, that Love Monday is not without its flaws. Firstly, for those tweeps who see their friends throwing around lots of Monday love, but never seem to be on the receiving end, it can actually become a bit discouraging. Some might argue that they should simply pitch in and start encouraging others, but I would also suggest that this problem might be tempered a bit if we all thought hard about who to encourage, and made sure we chose different people each week - including some who may not have many followers or be the likely target for lots of encouragement.
The second criticism I've heard of the idea is that it is quite insincere and potentially fake. I don't agree- but it's helpful to hear that some are perceiving it in this way. For my part, as long as i'm not encouraging people based on their level of 'fame' or because they might say something nice back, then my conscience is clear.
We're getting to the point with this though where some honest evaluation is helpful. Please use the comments section below to be as honest as you like about Love Monday, how we might make better use of it, and whether it has a long-term life.
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As you know I'm firmly ambivalent about this Martin. :D
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand I agree that encouragement is important and that we are responsible to 'build up'.
On the other, I think the flaw you mention is quite a major one - that we #LoveMonday those we know and expect and get one in return.
I also wonder if the hashtag is quite right. If the aim is encouragement why not say that? It might be less daunting.
And why just on a Monday? I get that you're using the #FollowFriday pattern, but I find #ff rather difficult because on the one hand I don't want to discourage someone by not giving them a #ff. on the other I feel guilty if I don't do it and then receive a #ff from someone else. So I don't really want another similar dilemma chucked at me - only worse - what if I haven't noticed someone that particularly needs encouragement and they get even more discouraged by seeing others encouraged?
And are we doing this to our non Christian twitter friends - who may need it just as much? If so how do we explain it? Are we going to come across as if Christians think they have a monopoly on love?
Great idea to spread a bit of love, but I'm still not quite convinced that a special day and a hashtag is the way to do it. However since you have this vision, I would genuinely encourage you to keep going and see where it leads.
Martin
ReplyDeletethink there are potential flaws with any idea and you have highlighted the most likely. They are heart issues though - and they will always be with us.
I do not believe that they are good enough reasons to stop promoting this or getting involved. My biggest concern is that there are those who feel discouraged when they receive nothing. It is difficult to be genuine when you do not know a person, if they have not engaged with me either in real life or through twitterverse it is difficult to provide a #lovemonday tweet to them.
To quote from that cheesy, yet applicable story, there are many starfish stranded on the beach - I may not be able to help them all but to those that I can help, it makes all the difference in the world!
Hi Martin
ReplyDeleteHonest reaction? I thought it was a lovely idea when I saw it last Monday and -only having joined the twitterverse a couple of months ago- jumped in and thanked three people who had been particularly kind in getting me started. I was then a bit surprised not to see any other #LoveMonday tweets and felt I had perhaps been a bit over-effusive and might embarrass the recipients (I don't know about embarrassed, but I think they probably were rather surprised, hopefully pleasantly!).
As you suggest, I then worried about those I had not included - the three I had quickly singled out were not the only kind people I had come across.
I think now I will wait a couple of weeks before jumping in again to see how it develops. But personally I think it is a great idea. As Pam concludes 'I would genuinely encourage you to keep going and see where it leads'.