Are you a Facebook fan? This phenomenon has swept our planet since its launch in 2003, and is growing everyday. There are more than 1.5 billion members of the FB family, and the company employs nearly 40,000 people. The thought that two college kids created it still amazes me. There are fans and foes, but its impact is undeniable.
There are pros: it's quick and easy, there are groups you can join with like-minded people, it boosts small businesses inexpensively, there is a wealth of useful information you can find, talented people are being discovered more easily, it brings awareness and opportunities to make donations to worthy causes...the list goes on. There are cons: privacy leaks and cyber bullying are bad, it can suck too much time out of your life if you let it, the ads can be annoying, fake accounts can be deceptive. Just like life, there's the good and the bad.
I'm a cup half full kind of gal. I try to see the rainbow at the end of the thunderstorm. With a couple of clicks, I can connect with my friends and family near and far. I can see their kiddos growing up. I can support others in their joy, grief, business, or charity. I can find out tour dates, book launches, movie reviews, class reunions, and information on special events. I can get a good belly laugh from some of my favorite pages, such as Juggling the Jenkins or Tired 'N Tested. I can reach out and catch up from my couch in my pajamas. That's a win!
Gone is the age of being attached to a wall phone with a ridiculously long cord for two hours that left a red ring around your ear after a lengthy conversation with only one person. Gone are busy signals before call waiting, then answering machines that would break in the middle of an important message. Heavens to Betsy, most of us don't even have a land line anymore! We can instantly message nearly anyone, even if we do not have their phone number. Gone are the days of start up businesses having to invest tons of money in an ad campaign. You can reach many more people on FB than placing a billboard in your local area, even though it would be pretty cool to see your name on a billboard. It has changed the way we live our lives.
Many say it's stunted our relationships and interaction with others. I can see how that could happen as far as face to face encounters, but I talk to many people that I probably would have lost contact with if it wasn't for FB. Heck, I reach out and share my mindless babble with all of you, like it or not! I'm now communicating with my precious Aunt Brenda from Kentucky on nearly a daily basis. I got to see a sweet picture of my cousin's daughter on the first day of her senior year and another cousin's cutie pie at cheer camp (we must've blinked, because weren't they just 9?). I got to virtually travel with my bestie across the country in an RV, because her posts made you feel like you were there. For Pete's sake, I even get to view the adventures of my missionary cousins in Africa! That would never have happened a few decades ago. It makes me feel connected to my family that is literally all over the globe. I see that as a good thing.
Now, I'm not so naive that I can't also see the downfalls. I've learned to make choices on what I allow myself to absorb. Call it age or call it wisdom, I'm finally beginning to figure it out. I scroll past the negative political banter. I don't type nasty quotes in an angry rage. I don't engage in the ignorant FB fights. If you get sucked into one of those black holes, it can ruin your day and make you bitter. As my daddy always said, "You can always change the channel."
I challenge you to use this forum to bring joy to others. Encourage each other with your comments. Share love and support to those in need. The Good Book says, "kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." That health tip is a lot more fun than this KETO stuff hub and I are doing. Send some warm fuzzies, then log off and go live your life! At the least, It will provide more interesting things for you to post.
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