I had a lovely, leisurely lunch with old friends today, a pleasure my hectic schedule has denied for such a long time. It was timely.  I needed that shot of friendship, laughter and genuine interest.  For about the past month, I’ve been in self-imposed exile from social media, with the exception of a few scattered Instagram posts.  After receiving a few rather surprising responses to some of my typical (and in my mind, very non-inflammatory) commentary, I realized that, at least for awhile, perhaps the online platform was not the best place on which to communicate.  

Social media is generally the easiest way for me to know what’s going on with friends and family (because let’s face it – who wants to call at 11:30 at night or 5:00 in the morning and fill me in?  That’s been my life for a few months).   Leaving that arena, I knew I would experience a certain amount of silence and possibly a sense of isolation.  I did, both, in spades.   And it was good for me.  

After only a few days, it became glaringly obvious how much of a window the internet is to a giant world of ideas and people and celebration and heartbreak.  I’m the first to say that in many ways, technology has whittled away at our ability to successfully navigate personal relationships (although, honestly, I see that more with texting than any other format).  But I was amazed – amazed! – at how much of the human experience *I* get to experience through social media.   I have reconnected with people that I would literally never have seen again (or seen at all!) were it not for the internet.  My mind and heart have been challenged with ideas and ways of living and thinking that are invaluable, either because I learned something that made me change my life in a positive manner OR because I was reaffirmed in what I already think or believe.   I have been invited to participate in people’s lives.  Maybe not in the way it was done “back in the day” but meaningful to me just the same.

So I think I’ll jump back in.  Maybe I’ll get my feelings hurt, or maybe someone will take everything I say in a way it wasn’t intended to be taken.  But it’s worth it to learn, and grow, and cheer others on as they learn and grow as well.  

Besides, given my reputation for talking, I should probably break my silence before they send out search and rescue.