Dr. Google isn’t credible, which leads me to the quote, “Don’t believe what you read on the internet.” I didn’t heed the advice. I mimicked the drowning man in the parable, “Two Boats and a Helicopter.” Do you recall this man who passed up several rescue attempts while facing raging floodwaters because he knew that God would save him? How we miss the signs…Instead, I dove into the words, ignorant of their harm like a fly into a web – each syllable engrained into my psyche, tossing me into a tizzy as Dad would say. I couldn’t get out of my head. It was a night of sheet thrashing. Poor sheets thinking, “What have we done?”
I held my breath, hoping for daylight to peek through the curtains, watching the red digits on the loyal clock seemingly remain in place. So, when light glimmered through the white fabric, it felt like a lighthouse’s beacon. I let go of an exhale, another day – enough of those words! They can’t hurt me anymore (sticks and stones), for darkness is no longer their ally. A step forward into a new mindset that will comfort and encourage.
browsing online can
provoke unhealthy thinking
fact check for trueness
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Thanks for popping in! I hope you’ve had a good weekend so far and wish you a lovely Sunday. ❤️
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 
Well, yes, there is a lot of fake information out there. I always check to a few sources.
It’s always good to check, Robbie. 🙂
I’ve learned the hard way too 💗
BOOM! reminds me that I shared the believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see thought with a much younger friend… she looked at me as though I were crazy. It is my hope that she at least considered it…
Thanks, Annette! I think youth in today’s world might believe most everything they read online, where everything is found at their fingertips. I can’t speak for all of them, but even for adults, it’s hard to discern between fact and fiction. ❤️
You are so right about Dr. Google. Doom-scrolling political content online is good for some sleepless nights, as well.
Thanks, Liz, and definitely, which is why I avoid politics online. 🙂
Wise move.
😊
Perfect title, Lauren!
Thanks, Wynne! 💕
Great wise reminders…. FACT CHECK! love it, Lauren! 💗
Thanks, Cindy! I was silly one time and that did it! Lesson learned, then a haibun was born. 🙂 🥰
We take them where we can! 💕
🤗💖
I have so been there, my friend! And I wrote about the “drowning man in the parable, “Two Boats and a Helicopter.” In my first book! I try EVERYTHING! Ha! Lots of things fall away, but I am still alive today because I was open to experimenting and trying lots of new things. And yes, several were things I found online. One of which was meeting my husband (now of over 20 years), online! Ha!!
I’m glad this piece related, Sheila, and that you found something ‘great’ online as well. There’s good and bad, but it’s about sifting through the bad and not falling for it. Thanks for adding to the conversation. 🥰
💯 with you Lauren.
The internet and SM is a necessary evil, but use it sparingly.
Hugs and love my friend 🥰💕🥰
It took one time for me, Maggie, to learn my lesson. And then, of course, it inspired a haibun. 🙂 Thanks, my friend, and hugs and love coming your way! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Lauren, I love the way you can transform everythingbinto poetry 🤗
Have a good week ahead my friend xoxoxox
Things should be a little less crazy now 🙏🥰
❤️😊 Well, just about anything inspires poetry! You too, Maggie! Big hugs!! 🤗😍🌺
It does indeed Lauren ✍️🤗🥰
Thank you.
Big hugs back to you 🦋💙🫂
💜🌻🌻🌻💜
So true, but it’s so tempting. 😊
Yep, the internet has a way of luring us. But fact checking is good to do too. Thanks for stopping by, Holly! 🥰
We can fact ck with AI , lol.
🤣🤣🤣
🧐
I love your dad’s expression, “tossing me into a tizzy.” So descriptive. I may borrow it!
Thanks, Elizabeth! It was the perfect word that came to mind. Feel free to borrow it! 🤗
👍🏼
Hello. your crisp writing here had me FEELING the crinkled sheets and also squinting when the first beams of light shown in to drown out the alarm clock digits. This was so good and had me wondering about more of the details – but not needed – because your point was made! Get more info and let’s not throw out common sense.
Hi Yvette, thanks for your wonderful comment! You made my day! I’m glad the senses were felt. I strived for that while working on it. And you got the point! 🙂 Thanks again! ❤️
I think this will come to mind if I have a tossing and turning night
❤️❤️
💕🤗💕
yes. I’ve done this: you get caught in a web and then ……. thrash, thrash ,,,,,
What a relief! I’m not the only one, John. 😊
there are a lot of people in the same boat; some flock to churches for steadiness and strength; while others ….
Yes, Ma’am. Look to credible sources.
Glad you’re on the same page, Mary. 🥰
I love your graphic descriptions of your life experiences. I was trying to imagine your talking sheets after you gave them a good workout. 🙂
Thanks, Ian, and you’re so funny! 😆
Funny as in ha-ha or funny peculiar? 🙂
Not peculiar, just funny! 😊
🙂 🙂
Google can get us going on tangents. It took me many years and sleeping pills to turn off my mind at night. Now that my stress level has dropped, I ditched the sleeping pills and replaced them with a book. I read late until my eyes get heavy. That usually does the trick.
It sure can, Pete. I searched a health condition a couple weeks ago, and well, you know the rest. 🙂 Never again though. But it inspired a haibun! LOL I also read at night, so I don’t take anything for sleep. Now and then, I have trouble, but for the most part, I can fall asleep right away if I’m tired. Sweet dreams!
That’s a very descriptive account of post-Googling syndrome! I hope today was better!
This happened a couple of weeks ago, Steve, so all is good. I’ll just never Google a health condition again. 🙂 But it’s amazing where poetry comes from. 🤗
Ah, yes, Lauren… been there before. 🤗
I hope I’m vigilant enough to predict what’s true or not on the Internet. Hugs, Lauren. Sometimes, it’s draining.
It’s hard for any age, Hazel, so just be aware. Hugs to you, and have a good week! 💕
Thank you, Lauren. Have a blessed week to you, too
I loved this! I am a never go down that rabbit hole kind of person myself- but this was so comical it almost made it sound fun!
Thanks, Violet! I’m glad you loved this haibun! A couple of weeks ago, I Googled a health condition, but never again. Although, the tizzy inspired this piece. 🙂
Yes, there’s a lot of bad information in the internet world. Checking and double-checking sources is the key.
Thanks for adding to the chat, Edward. Have a good Monday!
You’re welcome, and same to you, Lauren.
Best to be discerning and verify sources, yes. 👍🏻 Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! 💐🩷
Yes, and wishing you the same, Michele. 💜🌻
Thank you, dear Lauren! 🌞
Spot on, Lauren. With so many advantages via the internet, it’s sad we can’t trust what we read, and even see because of AI and shady characters. 😲
Thanks, Eugi, and well said too. Times are scary and there’s no going back. 💗
You’re welcome, Lauren.
It’s best to use reliable sources for your info, but it’s still sometimes difficult to find the truth.
Well said, Binky! Thank you!
Good heed. That’s the problem with half the world, they believe everything they see and read without fact checking. 😦 xx
Thanks, Debby! It’s a different world, especially for youth. But adults can be just as vulnerable. I Googled a health issue and didn’t like what I read, so it sent me into a tizzy. 🙂 Stupid, and never again. But I know I’m not the only one. It’s just not good to do. Everything inspires poetry though! 🥰💕
You are so right Lauren. Googling symptoms can be a dangerous thing sometimes – in more ways than one. xx
Never again though! Have a good day, Debby! xo
Hugs xx
Hugs back to you, Debby! 🥰
💜 Lauren.
Great reminder for all of us who use Google like we do light switches. Whew! 🙂 xxx
Thanks, Marsha! I love your line: “…who use Google like we do light switches.” So true! 🥰
So true, though, isn’t it?
Yes, so true, which is scary! 🙂
Now, I forgot what I said. That’s scary, too! LOL
😂
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I felt for you through your eloquent description, lovely Lauren. So much noise and misinformation out there…wrapping you in much love. Xxxx ❤️😘❤️
Yeah, nighttime has a way of turning little worries into big ones, but daylight always brings things back into perspective.
[Also, gonna grab a copy of your book soon]
Thanks for catching the contrast between night and day, Ritish. It makes such a big difference when we’re worried. Like you said, the perspective changes in daylight. But the night can seem so much longer. Thanks for chiming in, and for grabbing a copy of King Copper! You made my day, and I hope the collection touches your heart like it has for others. ❤️
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Ah, yes, don’t believe everything on the internet without some fact-checking. A great rule of thumb, Lauren, and the parable is a good one. We all know this, but can get scooped up anyway. The internet tried to tell me I have kiwi growing in my forest … um … not! I’m glad that dawn brought relief.
Thanks for reading, Diana, and that parable is so popular. I’m glad dawn brought relief too! Crazy! By the way, thanks for your amazing review of King Copper! What a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you liked the collection with all its silliness, joy, and sorrow. Hugs ❤️
It’s a wonderful read, Lauren, and so relatable. I’ve loved and lost many pets over my lifetime. I’ll post the review on 9/3 on my blog. Stop by and say hi to all your fans. ❤
Thanks again, Diana. Sorry for repeating myself! The love Copper has received is so special. I didn’t see this book coming, but I’m glad it did, not only for me, but you and others who can relate. I will definitely stop by and appreciate you sharing your review. I’ll reblog too with comments off to direct my readers to your site. Sending hugs! 🥰
Share it you want to, but it isn’t necessary. We share a lot of followers. Anyway, I’m delighted that you enjoyed the review. Hugs
Oh, I will, Diana. 🙂 🥰
Lauren,
I have always browsed with grains of salt. In the early days, I read several things that I knew were not true, as I grew up with and/or personally knew the person(s) in question. I was astounded then, and am now.
The most worrisome is medical advice/info. I always head to the Mayo clinic site, if there is something I want to know. I will not even trust the official HHS & CDC, with its current head, at this point.
Okay, will be reading King Copper next week!
HUGS!
Oh, and I just read a King Copper review on … Starry Steps! Congratulations, wonderful review!
xoxo🌟🌹❦❦❦❦
Hi Resa, that must’ve been difficult for you, to know the person…I made the mistake of googling a health issue and not liking what I read. Like you, I usually check out the Mayo Clinic, but not that time. Never again though, but then came a tizzy and a new poem. 🙂 Oh, I haven’t seen the review, so I’ll check it out. So grateful, thank you, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Big hugs and hope you’re doing okay. xoxoxoxo
We must protect ourselves! AI is full of mistakes. Artificial Idiocy.
It’s a fab review!
Hugs back! xoxo❤️🌷❤️
Artificial Idiocy, so funny, even though it’s not. 🥰💝💝🤗🤗xoxo
Agree! ❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹
I was telling students years ago not to use Google, Wikipedia, etc., etc. Astonishingly, these sites and YouTube continue to be referenced by society at large as if they are credible sources of information😣.
It’s very sad, and now with AI, I think it will be the fall of society. Not sure of the timing, but the dangers have been there and will only continue. Thanks for adding to the conversation. 💕
💕
As long as it keeps you inspired Lauren! But true, there’s so much trash on the net, we need to be careful every time we read something and double check info if needed.
Well said, Marie! It took one time for me and that was it. But anything inspires a poem. 🙂 Hugs my friend xoxo
Beautifully stated Lauren. 🙏🏼 These days, what’s online is even scarier, more misleading, and divisive. I remember the chain emails when emails began to become popular, and how I hated the misinformation that was being shared in mass communications. I have to try and check multiple resources before sharing. Great reflection! 😊💖🥰
Thanks for your insightful comment, Kym. I looked up a health issue a couple of weeks ago and didn’t like what I read. But I didn’t take time to look around, you know? So, the tizzy came, but so did a poem. 🙂 Lesson learned though. Hugs, my friend xoxoxoxox
Oh how I love the lessons we learn…or “unlearn!” You share much wisdom that is so appreciated my friend. 🙏🏼 Love, hugs, and smooches ladybug! 😘💖🤗
Very true! I’ve been known to do a bit of doom-scrolling myself.
Thanks, Stefan. I’m glad this resonated. 🙂
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