Likes are as precious as Gold:

As a "newcomer" trying to find my way through this maze of online media, likes and followers are imperative for my survival. Speaking for myself, I celebrate every view, read, clap or follower of my articles and Facebook page. I am always appreciative and still somewhat surprised (maybe because I am new) that some enjoy my writing. I make an effort to acknowledge people who comment on my articles.

What I have noticed, across all social media platforms, is the "reticence" of readers or "followers" to simply "like" a page or article they have read.

We will happily follow and like celebrities or influencers but ignore "Johnny the mechanic," who struggles to get his name out there, hoping to increase his earnings.

It's as if we don't want to see people do well, to uplift them in any way, even if it's a split second click by pressing the "like" icon.

We withhold our "likes," not because we don’t like what we are reading or seeing, but because it's too much effort and maybe we have a tiny bit of grudges that our "like" might vault the person to success.

We sit behind our keyboards and hold onto our "likes" as if the value is comparable to precious metals. We judge the person and find them wanting, seemingly oblivious to how life-changing a "like" could be.

Is this the hill we want to die on:

Have we, as humans, lost our humanity?

Or have we greedily discovered that our "likes" could catapult someone to succeed before we do?

How many "likes" would it take to encourage another?

Have we lost our generosity of spirit, our kindness in our pursuit of "self?"

Let's go back:

Can we go back to the days we encouraged our neighbours with new ventures, where we volunteered our time at sports facilities, retirement homes, or youth centres?

Can we understand the value of encouraging others and how deeply fulfilling it is to "do good" without necessarily receiving anything in return?

Let us not become like robots and place artificial intelligence above humanness.

Let us understand that the world is in turmoil, and people are suffering and facing many challenges.

Let us understand that the "likes" we so zealously guard mean so much to someone who hasn't given up on life but is instead hustling with hope in their heart to survive.

Our principles don't have to be compromised by liking something or someone. We can differentiate between good and bad.

Let us recognise that the "likes" we so intimately hold onto can be the advent of someone's livelihood.