When life seems to be a relentless struggle for survival, it’s so good to have someone in your corner. In this day and age when face-to-face relationships are hard to manage, social media has arrived on the scene to help fill in the gap. Even when we are warned about the dangers of social media as it gets blamed for the deterioration of human interaction, the truth is, it has also saved the lives of many.
For those who need to find someone in their corner with whom they can resonate with, regardless of your social status in the real world, you can find someone empathetic to your situation, cause, or plight.
In this way, social media plays an important part in the social matrix of your life. When you desperately need someone on your side, who can see things from your perspective, can feel what you’re feeling or has walked a mile in your shoes, social media can give you access to the people you need for support, when it would be difficult to do so in the real world.
I know when I have been at my lowest, and it seemed like there was no one there, I was desolate, alone, and felt as though there was no hope, or reason to go on, social media bridged the gap and helped me get through the toughest of times.
People, although virtual, were there to care, understand, love, and support me, when the rest of my life in the real world was crumbling all around me.
With all the negative press that social media gets (much of it warranted), there is another side to it as well. This virtual instant access to others can help build up and support the human condition as well.
Certainly, as with anything with huge positive potential, it can be abused and used with negative intent, but on the other side it can have incredible potential for making the world a better place.
Social media is a powerful medium which can either impact the world for good or for evil, and it appears that in order to keep its effectiveness, it must remain neutral. It’s up to you to decide how you will wield the awesome power of this electronic networking tool.
Social media is a microcosm of the totality of life on our planet. All types of people, philosophies, personality types, and beliefs are represented, and for the most part are able, and encouraged, to share their thoughts and feelings freely.
You may not always agree (and there is no reason why you should be required to) and you always have a choice in how you will represent yourself via social media. You can choose to fight, counter-attack, bless, or love. It’s up to you.
It may serve you well to think about how you are showing up in social media.
Are you representing yourself as the person you would like to be remembered as?
I know when Aaron was killed in Afghanistan, his social media was a worldwide representation of who he was, and it still survives him, even today.
I have many friends who have since passed away and their social media accounts give us all something to look back on to remember, honor, laugh, and reflect on the impact they have had on our lives when they were here.
Someday, after I am long gone, the virtual footprints of my social media interactions may be all that remains.
Just remember, your social media might represent the kind of person you are (or were) when you were here, on your life’s journey.
How would you like to be remembered in your social media?
This is a great piece and presents a completely different and more positive perspective on social media, which is usually depicted in a negative light. Yes, I agree, Facebook, for instance, builds community and allows one to solicit support and to feel a sense of connectedness. I feel as if I am part of a community of family and friends and can interact with people when I have the time to sit still at the end of the day. Your best yet, David!