Social media…”likes”, or something else?

Wow it’s been two years since I started this blog and sometimes I wonder why I’m doing it….and what social media is all about. Do you do it for likes, is it a popularity contest, or you just trying to share or capture the moments of your life.

As I reflected on this, I realize I do it because I really love the creative outlet of writing, and, although it does sound morbid and a little dramatic, I also do it because if I died tomorrow I know I’ve left a little footprint and my grandkids will know who I was and what I was all about….and that’s important to me. As I wrote last week, “tomorrow is never promised.” Sure, some may think it’s morbid, but I choose to think that it makes me live my life as if today were my last day. I’m truly grateful to see the beautiful sunrises at rowing in the morning…last week was a doozy!

I try to squeeze every last experience out of my day and life…whether it’s traveling, enjoying the company of my family/friends or just sitting on the couch and savoring a book for a couple of hours….all make me so happy!

Okay, so sure I look to see how many likes I have on an instagram photo (admit it, you do too!), but, more importantly, I truly love the idea of an online diary. It’s fun…and I go back every once in awhile to look at old blog posts or pictures to see how my life and outlook have changed (…and unfortunately how my weight has changed…ugh!)

As much as it sometimes takes over our lives, I choose to think of social media as a gift that was given to all of us. My parents didn’t have a clue what I was doing when I was at college in San Francisco or when I moved to Illinois, where both of my kids were born. When all my kids were on the east coast it was a great way to stay connected.  Just getting a random photo of the four of them when they were out to dinner together really warmed my heart. They knew how much I loved it and Taylor and Kate always made sure to send a pic, which made me feel like I was sharing in their evenings together. It’s hard to have my son and daughter in law 3000 miles away, but I get so much comfort from the pictures or videos they send or I see online. I get a little sense of connection to their life…and live, for a moment, in their space. It’s not as great as being with them, but that’s why I go to NY twice a year…and the pics in-between are just icing on the cake. I am so thankful that my daughter and her husband are only 12 minutes away and can share some day to day experiences.

So as much as I think some in my generation get a little disheartened with the whole “like” popularity contest, etcetera…the younger generation can just open their phone or go online to see a snapshot of their lives…instead of forgetting to get those photos printed from that memorable trip (as I’ve done before!) What a great memoir to have in the palm of your hands! So, embrace it a bit and be thankful for the technology that keeps us connected.

You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!