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In Support of Selfies

Reality star Kim Kardashian is set to publish a book.

Now, some will find the pairing of the words Kim Kardashian and book strange in and of itself: Nothing against Mrs. K., but she just doesn’t strike me as the bookish sort. But when I heard that Kardashian’s book will be 352 pages worth of selfies, it made more sense.

The book’s name? Selfish.

Kardashian has been a prime catalyst for the selfie movement. Last year, she declared (in a deleted scene from her E! reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians) she wanted to take 1,200 selfies—not for the year, mind you, but during one trip to Thailand. By this time next year, I anticipate that a third of the Internet will be taken up with pictures that Kardashian took of herself.

Now, most people would say taking 1,200 pictures of one’s own pouting face on a two-week vacation might be extreme. But that said, selfies have become a thriving mode of self-expression.

The fam and I took a trip down to Walt Disney World a couple of weeks ago for a marathon, and I was astounded how many people whittled the minutes away standing in line by taking pictures of themselves. One afternoon, while waiting to board the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I watched one man take about a half-dozen selfies—dutifully grooming his meticulously tousled hair between takes. Many folks toted what my children told me were “selfie sticks”—elongated handles that you attach to your phone that allows for the selfie-taker to capture better pictures. Or something. Not exactly sure what a selfie stick is good for, but for so many people to tote one around a crowded theme park, it must do something.

I’ve always been a bit uneasy about the culture’s passion for selfies. Part of that, I credit to how I interpret my faith. As Christians, I figure we’re not supposed to think about ourselves very much. We’re to turn our focus outward—to God and the people around us. Emotionally, it’s hard for me to see how selfies fit in with that.

But I’m trying to look at selfies a little bit differently these days. Sure, maybe there are those who overshare themselves. But perhaps I’m just as guilty of undersharing.

Undersharing? I can hear you say. Just how many blogs have you written about yourself? And you have a point. I’ve already used the pronoun “I” 13 times in this post. You know more about me than many of my relatives.

But here’s the thing: When I write, I’m showing—just as Kim K. does—what I think is my better side. I try to make you chuckle a little or think a little … and in so doing, part of me hopes you’ll like me a little better, too. It’s very selfish, this writing of mine. A great deal of my self-identity is wrapped up in words. I don’t post lots of pictures of myself online for, perhaps, the same reason Kim K. doesn’t do a lot of writing: It’s not what we do best. And since we want you to like us, we show you what we think is our best.

It’s silly, isn’t it, how we long so much for the approval of others? The Bible says we’re not to be about that. As Christians, we’re supposed to share our lives with each other—to not just put forth our best side, but our worst, too. To be honest and transparent when we’re feeling hurt or weak or ugly. That’s a hard thing for us to do.

On my vacation, I saw a few folks who preened for the camera, hoping to find the best self-shot for Facebook or whatnot. But maybe some of those selfies were going to loved ones back home—their way of saying “I wish you were here.” Many others taking selfies were taking group shots—friends and family, laughing and enjoying the moment. In me looking at the culture’s predilection for “oversharing” selfies, I have often focused on the over part of the word—ignoring the sharing.

IMG_0386I took a selfie down in Walt Disney World. You can see it to the right. It’s at the starting line of the marathon with my two kids, Colin and Emily. It was a great moment, to be with my kids right then—in the cold and dark and with thousands of other folks, even as I shivered and wished that I had used the porta-potty one last time. But it’s still a moment I’m glad I was there for. And I’m glad I caught a little sliver of it.

The picture isn’t the best, I admit. The shadows are bothersome and it looks a little blurry.

Next time, I’m bringing a selfie stick.