Sitting at Macon City Auditorium on my birthday last week at a concert, I was transported back in time to high school days. Days of skating to music at the skating rink. Days of dancing in my room with my mom as the stereo played.
Whatever other memories I have with my mom, those days we danced to music are some of the best. We laughed as we tried the latest dance moves and as we sang along with the record. Time seemed to stand still and it was always a good day when mom wanted to play the stereo and dance.
The concert was The Three Dog Night, a band which was formed in 1967 when I was still in grammar school. At that time vocalists where Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negrom. Also part of the band was Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards, Joe Schermie on bass, Michael Allsup on guitar and Floyd Sneed on drugs. Schermie died in 2002 and Greenspoon in 2015. Eddie Reasoner took over on keyboards but was replaced by Howard Laravea in 2017. Wells also died in 2015 and David Morgan joined the group on the road.
With the exception of the drummer, Paul Bautz, and Laravea on the keyboard the band members are in their 70s. Regardless of age, they rocked the house last week. The concert was actually much better than I anticipated. Of course they sang One, An Old Fashioned Love Song, Joy to the World and others everyone remembers.
One of the best things about the night, was that I was sharing it with ladies I have known for over 40 years; one of them longer since we went to grammar school together. All five of these ladies love the Lord and we had a wonderful time celebrating my birthday yes, but just being together.
I was reminded that it’s the quality of people in your life who make a big difference and can decide whether your life is peaceful or full of drama. I’m so blessed these days my life is mostly peaceful even in the middle of chaos. I have several good friends who help keep me encouraged on those days when I’m just not feeling it.
I had to take a semi-hiatus from social media. I used to post positive, encouraging things, mainly shared from elsewhere. I even got grief for being too upbeat all the time. Plus the hate spewed during the election was affecting my mental health which in turn can make you physically sick. I’m one of those let’s fix it, move forward and can’t we all just get along type of people and I saw no way to fix or stop the hate spewing. Therefore, I quit going on social media as much and it has made a difference. I don’t even really miss it.
Because of work I do check it but not just as much and when not working, hardly at all. I have a ministry page, A Light in the Darkness, which I try to post on every day, but other than that, not so much.
People have become addicted to social media and/or their phones. They have to constantly be on them or checking them. It’s not good for you emotionally or physically. I recently read something that said we are also causing more mental illness in our young people allowing them to have a phone at too young an age and letting them be on social media. I believe it because I witness it.
I don’t think you should post your business on social media, nor should you carry on back and forth in an unhealthy diatribe of remarks. A healthy debate is one thing but debating with someone who only wants to come back at you and not just for discussion sake, is unhealthy for all involved.
Social media is also causing us to be unsocial and greatly negatively impacts our social skills. Put down the phone and interact with your family. A real phone conversation is better than a text message. Reach out and touch someone with a phone call today.
Try this experiment: unhook from social media for a couple of weeks and see if your disposition doesn’t improve. You won’t feel as anxious either.
I’ve shied away from political posts as much as possible, even though I believe I’m entitled to my beliefs and opinions. Every single time I’ve posted something, it has come back to bite me. Just prior to my semi-hiatus, one of my cousins unfriended me because I agreed with stopping the caravan and not allowing them in the United States. They felt these people were hurting, underprivileged and needed asylum. I didn’t and still don’t. Most had cell phones, new clothes and shoes and I believe they should have tried to make a difference in their own country. I also believe they were paid to wreak havoc but that’s my opinion and you don’t have to agree. I’ll still love you even if you don’t agree with me.
Life is just way too short for all of this nonsense and in the bigger scheme of things, differences of opinion aren’t that big of a deal, unless you make it that way. I won’t.
Wishing you peace of mind and blessings.

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com