Enliven Daily

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart…I'll always be with you.”

It started with Linked In as someone I knew told me I had to get on it as it was a great networking opportunity, especially for business.  Then a buddy of mine mentioned Twitter before it became popular but he knew it was going to take off.  Then came Facebook as I wanted to see the pictures from Hawaii that the other couple we went with put on it.  I never really checked out the MySpace thing and I am sure there are many others.  What inspired this entry today was hearing someone or something on the radio boastfully talk about all the “Friends” they have on Facebook.

Is this what friendship has become – sending emails with a click button and then calling that person your friend?  Even newscasts are pimping it and asking you to be their “friend” on their website.  Celebrities, athletes and politicians have taken it to a whole other weird level where they have minions controlling their sites, invites and accepts for them.  These are not friends, they are not even acquaintances.  For most of these people trying to stockpile names, they are people that clicked a button. 

To each their own and I try not to judge but I also try to be the voice of reason when the masses try to influence things down a certain path.  At least by presenting a different view, it reminds people they have a Choice.  I do use Linked In and Facebook occasionally but do not keep up with either one and know that maybe I should for business.  Every few days I see some emails with invites, etc. and I actually feel guilty as I usually recognize the name and if I do not accept, I often wonder if these people think I do not like them, which for most is not the case.  Yes. there are some I do not accept as they are people I may have once worked with at the same company but do not know well or did not enjoy working with so why would I put them as my connection?  For others, I have no idea who they are but may have gone to college with me or worked at a company I did even if not at the same time.  Eventually I do go on and accept the one I want to.

My friends are the people who I have known my whole life or even a whole week who have taken the time to get to know me and vice versa.  They are people who try not to judge books by its cover and fight for what they believe in, even if it is a different view than mine.  Heck – some of my best debates are with friends because they are honest and fair.  My friends are like Winnie the Pooh who gave us our opening quote who through it all, near and far, have always been there for me and my family.  I like to think that they would say the same about me.  For this, I will always be grateful and do not need information on a website page to remind me of this or tell me who they are.