Accenuate the positive

The UCC started a new online ad campaign yesterday. Here is the video...

It's gotten me thinking about the ad campaigns we set for ourselves. What is it that we broadcast when we open our mouths, our checkbooks, our lives to others via social media outlets like this blog, Facebook or Twitter?

Much as I'd like to say that I've got a coordinated, consistent multi-media effort, I don't think that's the case. But really, most of us don't have our own PR team and stylists following us around to make sure each appearance is picture perfect.

I was thinking about putting together my own video in response to the UCC's ad, one that helped define who I am (only the positives, or course). As tempting as that sounds, I have a lot of paper-writing and reading to do this weekend. But, if I were to put together a mash-up, it would feature movies and stills like this: Pictures of my family from my childhood, especially cousins and grandparents; silly candids from high school of friends I'm blessed to still have in my life and love me, despite my quirks; a series of stills showing the various places I've lived (I might leave out the rat-filled "murder house" for the sake of having something that plays well with the public); and lots and lots of walks in the woods, in the mountains, and across fields with my spouse and our many, many animals. I'll be sure to do lots of wide shots, so the viewers can see the countryside.

I think it's in the shots with those I love and in creation, if you squint really hard, you can see the shadowy image of the creator. Maybe you don't have to squint at all. If you've met my friends, my family, my critters, you've already seen the creative and defining force that shows my good side for the cameras. My hope is that I'm in their "good-side" ads as well. When the question that's so popular in some of my seminary classes is asked, "Where have you seen God today?" It would be nice to know that I make as many cameo appearances for the ones who mean so much to me as they do for me. As the old joke goes, may I be as good a person to my loved ones as my dog thinks I am. Wag on.