Dawn Owens, founder and executive director of The Link of Cullman County.

Dawn Owens openly questions what the world would be like if people didn’t spend their lives trying to gain approval for every aspect of their lives.

A Cullman resident and founder and executive director of The Link of Cullman County, Owens doesn’t speculate that question from a lofty place. She spent years doing the very thing her new book — “Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction” — addresses.

“All of this started long before The Link with my own approval addiction,” Owens said. “That’s how I found myself, and even when The Link started I was watching and worried about how much response or likes a post would get, because social media is how we first started getting the word out.”

Anxious for The Link to fulfill its mission of touching the lives of people with problems who had broken lives, from drug and alcohol addiction and other factors, Owens said that’s when she realized her anticipation and expectation was bringing up the nemesis of approval addiction.

“It gave me a real gut check,” she said, “realizing if I didn’t get this under control I might get rejected by God because I was too consumed with seeking approval from man.”

Just The Facts

Book: Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction

Author: Dawn Owens, founder of The Link of Cullman County

Book signing: May 15, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Yates-Chance Christian Bookstore, 1650 2nd Ave SW, Cullman

Proceeds: For The Link

“Like Me or Not” delves into the trappings of approval, particularly in the expanding age of digital media with Facebook and other platforms that open a life to the eyes and attentions of thousands, even millions of other people.

“Counting the number of likes on your latest Facebook photo can seem harmless, but what if counting those likes leads to comparison or rejection?” Owens said. “Why do we given teenagers a platform where they feel like they have to be affirmed or rejected? Why do any of us think like that?

Through biblical foundations and strategies, Owens has crafted her book for readers to look beyond unhealthy attempts for approval.

“I looked closely at the story of King Saul and King David. They both were appointed to their roles, but Saul sought approval from men, whereas David looked to please God. I want to be more like David,” Owens said. “He went through many trials, but his focus and faith and prayers to God are what set him apart and saved him.”

Owens also makes clear that her book is not a condemnation of using social media. She recognizes the valuable aspects of how staying in touch with friends and family, promoting events or businesses are healthy uses of Facebook, Twitter and other digital tools.

“We can all use social media in healthy, productive ways,” she said. “Approval via social media, however, can be addicting and for many that addiction is a serious concern. It can shortchange relationships, cause turmoil in families, erode friendships, and break down marriages. Everyone desires approval, but when that desire becomes an addiction it is time to step off the hamster wheel of people pleasing and look for the only approval you really need — God.”

Owens will have her first book signing May 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Yates-Chance Christian Bookstore in Cullman. The book may also be found at Books-A-Million and is published by Worthy Publishing of Franklin, Tennessee. The book is also on tour with OUTCRY through Premier Productions.

All proceeds from Like Me or Not will support the ministry of The Link, which is a faith-based non-profit that works at breaking the cycle of poverty through encouragement, education and employability training.

Owens blogs about inspiring others to seek God at dawnmowens.com.