So imagine my dismay to find that some of my favorite Facebook categories are being criticized by other Facebookers as well as fancier folks with Ph.D's behind their names. Well, it just doesn't sit well with me that people don't like social media sites, especially my two faves, Pinterest and Facebook.
I literally wake up anticipating what all my friends have been doing while I was wasting time sleeping. I usually find excessive pins on exercise routines, Paleo meals, and simple stuff like pictures of the kids at last night's baseball games. I don't know about y'all but the people I follow on Pinterest and the folks I allow as friends on Facebook are there because I ALLOW them to be; so when these people talk, post, or pin, I listen.
Yes, I know counting and posting miles to Facebook may seem mundane and excessive to some people (non-runners,cough, cough), but I. LOVE.IT! Somebody has to set the standard for the amount of miles per week, someone has to inspire me, because let's face it, pushing that jog stroller is a whole other ballgame. So I expect, nee, need some real life people doing real life running to make me feel like I'm not crazy for putting the weather shield on the Jeep jogger and heading out in the snow or rain.
Along those same lines are people who are criticizing pictures of FOOD! What? Anyone who cooks, prepares, or manages meals for a living (every mom, right?) gets to that point where she is simply at a loss for what to fix for hungry family members every single day! Why are we going to hate on people who take the time to snap a shot of their plates, pots, or fire pits when all they are really doing is sharing some ideas on what to fix next. Heck, I live with one of those snap-a-pic-of-the-Egg guys and his photos always have plenty of likes. I mean, your picture has 100 likes of a smoking Boston Butt, you must be doing something right. I for one say, Thank You!
Now they want to tell us that people who take Selfies are arrogant and narcissistic? Wait just a cotton pickin' minute! Now, I will admit that I don't think I've ever taken a selfie or am planning to anytime soon, but let's don't discount the ones we see on Facebook. Some days, a gorgeous selfie of a good friend may be the only inspiration I have to put on make-up that day. In my head I'm thinking, if she can do it, so can I! And while that person is busy posting a flattering picture, we secretly get a glimpse of how the rest of her world looks: unmade bed, messy bathroom, dishes in the sink. Just another glimpse of normalcy. That right there is reason enough to continue the selfie craze!
But seriously, some of us aren't lucky enough to live in the same town where we grew up, with the same people we grew up with. Some of us are long drives away, and phone calls just aren't enough. Some of us are far removed from the places and people that feel like home; so to be able to share our lives with those people and have them share theirs with us, all for the price of an internet connection, is something not even the best cartoon caption can express. I have watched my nieces and nephews grow up because of social media. I know that friends from way back when are healthy and happy and doing jobs that they love! Again, all because of social media.
But perhaps most importantly, some of us had friends and family in the direct line of the storms that came through this week. Some of us were comforted to read and see that little damage had been done to our hometowns, to find that while the tornado passed right over a loved one, it didn't touch down. Some of us, seeing something discouraging, were urged to call and check in. But all of us, after the damage has been done, are humbled and grateful for those whose lives were spared, who lost property but survived; and of course, all of us are hurting and praying for those who were not so fortunate.
