To Facebook, or NOT to Facebook

I’ve had a few really interesting conversations about Facebook in the last few days. Social media can be a really positive experience, and it can be a really negative experience. I think it all depends on how involved you are and what it is you’re looking for in these different social media options.

I love to read the inspirational stories and watch the funny videos, but I don’t get into the political comments and I’m not crazy about the “personal” rants people occasionally go on, although I’ve probably done my share of posting things people don’t like either. But for me, here’s the good thing. Facebook can be whatever YOU want it to be. You can read whatever you chose to read, and skip whatever you don’t want to read. I’m sure there are people that have NO interest in WW and are possibly tired of seeing my post, and to them, I apologize. The nice things is….you don’t have to read it. 🙂 You can “post”, or not “post”. You can “comment” or not “comment”. It’s up to you. But…..if you do comment on a sensitive subject matter, be ready. You NEVER know how people are going to react to your views on a particular subject matter.

I know someone who was recently “bullied” because she “Liked” a particular article. She didnt even comment on it, she simply clicked the “Like” button. By “Liking” this particular subject matter, a Facebook friend of hers assumed it meant she was completely and totally AGAINST another subject matter, and she got a real lashing from this Facebook friend which resulted in many many more negative comments from others and some humiliating comments on her Facebook page. By “Liking” one thing, she was completely misunderstood about something else.

I guess those are the chances you take. I have learned to take a backseat on Facebook when it comes to the big subjects. If I am going to voice my opinion on an important subject matter, I want it to be in person where there can be an opportunity for discussion.

Recently, a Facebook friend of mine put a political rant promoting his political party, and basically saying that everyone in the other party was a dumb ass. I enjoy Facebook for the fun and the positive and inspiring, so I “unfriended” him. No need to comment and tell him my feelings on him criticizing everyone that didn’t have his political beliefs, so I simply hit “unfriend”, and all was well. No drama needed.

What I love about Facebook?? So many things. Funny quotes, what my friends are doing, what their kids are doing, where is everyone going, what sporting events are people going to, what stupid thing happened to someone besides me…….I could go on and on and on.

One of my favorite parts? Reconnecting with friends from my past.

I was lucky enough to grow up on a block where there were lots of kids. Kids down the street, kids across the street and kids on each side of me. We played outside, we played inside. We rode bikes, we played dolls, we had sleepovers and we put on silly shows in my backyard.

I haven’t seen a lot of those kids in many many years, but I have reconnected with a couple of them via Facebook! It’s been great to be able to find out what’s going on in everyones life, how are their parents, siblings…….what are they doing……do they have kids, grandkids??? I’ve really enjoyed being abel to get caught up. A few times, a few different friends have mentioned trying to get together, but it just hadn’t happened yet, until yesterday.

I met with my childhood friend that lived right next door to me!

We decided we probably hadn’t seen each other since we were 13 or 14. Maybe even younger than that. We had a great time getting caught up on each others lives, and amazingly our lives had a lot of similarities. We met for coffee, and coffee turned into lunch. We had over THIRTY years to cover! I’m so glad that we did that, and it makes me want to reach out to other friends that I have connected with and actually meet up and have a chat!!

Do you have a Facebook?

Do you chat on it, or just read what others write?

Have YOU reconnected with old friends from your past via Facebook?

I gotta go! Off to my Weight Watchers Meeting!