Getting to the Heart of Social Media

My mind is spinning and I can't sleep.  I just witnessed something on social media that has touched my heart and warms my soul.  I want to tell you about it.  But first, let me explore a topic that I have heard debated......is social media good or bad?  So what's your take on that?  Well here's mine.  It is neither good nor bad, it just is. Just like speaking is neither good nor bad.  It is a form of communication.  Sending letters is neither good nor bad, it is a form a communication.  Body language is neither good nor bad, simply a form of communication. Texting, social media, blogging, etc, neither good nor bad, just forms of communication.  What we do with any and all of those forms of communication and what they are used for is what defines it as good or bad, but not the medium of communication itself.  Communication, in any form, is necessary to the interactions we all need and crave on a daily basis.  I'm sure you've all been told something that was not kind in nature, maybe even directed to you personally.  Not a good feeling and can be very damaging to the soul, especially if continued over a period of time.  Does that make the medium of speaking words a bad thing that should be debated and even abolished???  Well you don't even have to answer that ridiculous question.  So why would we think that social media is bad or even to be debated.  It can be used for so much good as well as so much bad, simply depends on the source and the outcome.  I've seen posts and drama and private issues aired on social media that I didn't really want to see or read about.  You all know the kind of thing I'm talking about.  So I just click, "I don't want to see this post" and it goes away, at least from my view.....and that is all I care about.  I have it in my power to do that and I love it!  I wish I could click a button and make some of the hurtful things spoken directly go away that easily.  Then there is the good stuff.  We all have different opinions of what we consider good...but for me, something uplifting, worthwhile, helpful in strengthening my character, even light or humorous to make me laugh.  All good stuff. 

So here's the real story.  Tonight a friend was given a great gift of support and love from her circle of friends on social media.  With her permission, I'm sharing this with you.  My friend sales a product and I'm not going to mention what that product is here.  That's not the purpose of my blog post.  She had a goal to reach to win a cruise to Jamaica.  Well, let me just say she had given up on that goal.  She had a death in the family this month and just returned from an out of state trip to attend the funeral and other family matters concerning that death.  That and other challenges made her goal seem impossible to reach, as her attention was diverted elsewhere.  So what did I witness??  Today was the deadline. With about 8 hours to go, she was down about $1300.00.  Seemed impossible.....but not when social media was the medium to accomplish that goal.  Another friend of hers decided to help her out and started posting.  It took off from there.  In less than the 8 hours, it happened and as I sat glued to my computer screen watching and posting and pulling for her, I wasn't alone.  I simply jumped on the band wagon and the wagon was full....full of love, support and well wishes.  I really didn't know many of the names of the others on that wagon.  I could tell who was driving the wagon, and it wasn't her.  It was that other friend.  The joy and excitement of each person posting was evident.  I was part of something grand!  I'm sure the trip will be amazing with lots of memories.  But I would bet my friend will remember this night of support and love as each of us rallied around a cause.  

My friend has a huge heart and has found a way to give love to children that might not otherwise find love and peace in their life.  She offers foster care and loves these children.  She opens herself up to the possibility of pain along the way.  I've witnessed and experienced some of that from a different angle and have only respect and admiration for her.  She had a month that has brought sadness and grieving.  She deals with other trials and struggles, as we all do.  She may wonder how I even know that much about her.  Yup...social media, gotta love it!  This night wasn't about buying a product, although we will all get our product in the mail and use it and love it!  It was all about giving our mutual friend something she deserves because she gives so much to others! 

Is social media good or bad?  It just is.... and when used as I witnessed tonight...it is very, very good.