As I set down to open my computer this morning to check my emails and yes have a quick glance at my social media I felt an incredible connection to my world that social media has allowed. Thirty five years ago when I was a lonely young girl out on her own and 5500km from home I sure could have used a little ‘social media.’ At that time my Mum was still alive but her body paralyzed and her speech taken by a stroke. Long distance was $1.65/min during non peak and calls with someone with speech issues are not quick. This morning when I opened my Facebook I decided to look at my first 10 entries and see if they provided something positive in my day or are they deterring from my ability to interpersonally connect? The first was a posting by an old neighbourhood friend I haven’t seen in 36 years and recently ‘found’ on Facebook. Her pictures showed her daughter coming home for the weekend and I felt my connection with that friend reignited. I would never have thought of her as a farmer and there she was with sheeps and horses! The next was a comment from a professional acquaintance speaking of a dinner she will attend with Craig Kielburger and Spencer West; 2 amazing humanitarians. I smiled and was reminded that there is so much good around us. The people on this planet are not defined by a Boston Bomber; rather by the fact that the good still outnumber the bad.
There were two garage sale ads and then an amazing home made video of a teenage family member who has been struggling with anxiety. The joy I saw in her in that video consoled me and I knew the page had turned. And then there are the posts of my son’s socially conscious girlfriend. Generally quiet and reserved in speaking she shows her incredible spirit in her posts. Oh and there’s a great recipe and then a post reminding me that tomorrow is Music Monday; a great initiative to support the arts in our schools. A performance from America’s Got Talent that brought me to tears and finally watching my brother in law who has serious mobility issues commenting on his grandchildren’s sporting achievements. He, as was my Mum, is thousands of kilometres from some of his children and grandchildren but from his chair he is ‘connected’ to them.
So is social media deterring from my ability to Socialize? Absolutely not! In 15 minutes I knew much more about my personal connections then I could have attained in a year previously. From what I read and saw I know who needs an ‘in-person’ or telephone call and who I can rest assured doesn’t need me today. Does social media mean that I don’t set up a coffee date or make that call to someone? No it doesn’t. It reinforces and strengthens my personal connections to my professional life, my friends, my family and my community. But then I am briefly sad as I think how incredibly different my Mum’s life could have been if she had this technology……..
Nancy's Notes 