"We're FACEBOOK FRIENDS". This something I have heard and laughed, until I heard myself saying it as well. Some of the individuals you have on your list of "Friends" on facebook are actual friends- ones whom you have established relationships with either in person or in the digital world by actually writing to them on a personal level - but some of these profile picture icons are truly strangers whom you don't reach out to, nor do they you and that is ok too, to some degree. The casual "comment" is enough.
The Facebook Phenomenon is as complicated as it is simple. People are looking for a connection- any connection. Sad but true. We once sat around a fire and shared stories- swatting the occasional bug or gathered at church socials or weekly family gatherings and shared little quips or talk of politics while washing the dishes together. Instead of going to coffee with a friend on Thursday morning as we once did we claim ourselves too busy and sit idol with a laptop propped on our knees for the same hour looking for a connection through this social media. Life is balance. Think about it, we encourage our kids to have a friend over- go outside, enjoy the weather.
Facebook is a great tool- if you use it as such. What a great way to make connection with friends you have made whom you are too far away from to make it feasible to get together in person- we can keep in touch with people literally on the other side of the world daily. As a matter of fact you can build real friendships through this medium reaching out to someone in need. One can keep it light and share cute posters of puppies or funny videos or perhaps excite political change. One can bring light to social injustice or just share daily specials at the local hot dog stand. You can use it for promotion of your business, or find common ground with other like minded individuals or all the above. My friend list is varied. Each individual added adds to the mix in a unique way- some have a suffered illness in the family or have love of cooking and we share ideas sometimes in real time chat,some read my blog and comment- others don't, some have an appreciation for the arts or are artists or and can relate to a unique way of thinking. Some have contacted me to commission Art or to purchase work I have posted. Some individuals ,I enjoy reading the daily inspirational quotes they post or crazy yoga poses. Just as anything in your life- use with care and maintain balance. Some people their main outlet to others may very well be through this medium because of location or illness or perhaps they feel vulnerable for one reason or another and don't nurture face to face friendships. Don't forget that Thursday morning coffee date, have you called them lately? Did you accidentally - "Un-friend" them out of neglect?
If you "added" someone as a "friend" because of a certain list of criteria- and they switch gears on you - say they stopped posting cute puppy posters and start talking about real issues- why should you be shocked. Do you, " un-friend" them because they are no longer of use to you? Or stop commenting. Maybe they are reaching out. Where is your hand?
Our purpose here on this earth is to lift up rather than to bring down. This can overflow into the area of social media- words can heal or destroy. Choose Love.
(the chalk drawing above was created by one of my daughters friends one sunny afternoon- a series of four or five dancing figures one created by each friend- graced the driveway for a brief moment- such joy)
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