I realized something this past weekend, and I wanted to share it with you!
We all use facebook for different reasons, some of us post funny quips, meaningful quotes..or random tid bits about our day. Others use it to "check in" and to tell others to "check it out" and some people are actually using it to check others out. But we all are participating in one way, shape or form in this enormous community. I realized this weekend when I went to an alumni event at Queens University of Charlotte that I may have gotten to know some of these people better after we graduated than during our time together in school. I see their face and it's not like "oh my god! It's been forever you've changed so much!" It's more like - "Oh hey there, is that the dress you were talking about getting for such at deal at Nordstrom Rack last week on FB?"
You know it's happened to you before. You realize that people that may not be in your "in person" circle are still very much in tune with what's happening in your life. I had about 4 people congratulate me on my 35 mile bike ride at this alumni event on Saturday. People who I absolutely know, and are my facebook friends, but people that i don't talk with "in person" on a regular basis. It was actually a pretty amazing feeling - knowing that so many people are on your team - even when you don't realize it.
That was my big realization - that our support system extends far beyond our in person community. It runs beyond blood relations. People are cheering you on from across the city, across the state, the country and even the globe. How many times have you seen someone's facebook status and sent them well wishes, or prayed a quick prayer for them and never sent anything to them at all? How many of you have read someone's status or seen a pic and thought "man, good for them!" but never actually sent the message?
All this unspoken support is happening around us - and sometimes we forget that in today's world - we are never alone. We are never stepping up to the plate without people in the bleachers cheering us on. We are never crying tears without someone, somewhere, wishing they could make us feel better. This act of living "online" and sharing in this community we call Facebook, Twitter, Google+, whatever you use - it's like a big and totally unplanned extended family. And that "cousin" whom you've never met may very well be following your life story and wishing you well every step of the way.
Some people might think this level of sharing and community is too much - too personal, too intrusive. But I think it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with people outside of those we might physically see every day. A great chance to connect on a different level with someone who doesn't live on your street or even in your town. The perfect way to feel like no matter what you do - you are doing it with potentially hundreds of people sending good thoughts.
I love this sense of community and outreach. I love that when I'm having a good day or a bad day that I can look here and find some encouragement from someone i didn't know was following my story. I don't find it weird or strange, I find it refreshing that we can still take a few moments in our day to really CONNECT to others, and to show that we care what's happening in their lives. It's what makes us good people, I think.
So for all those that I may have been secretly cheering on from the sidelines, I will try to do a better job of letting you know I'm happy for you, or proud of you, or wishing the best for you. Because it makes you feel special when someone reaches out - and everyone deserves that. So thanks, team Facebook, for being sorta kinda like a family to me during some of my crazy journey's I've posted here. It's good to know....you've got a friend.
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