So many things happened in each of our lives since we made the conscious decision to "Facebook each other." For starters, other than communicating via Facebook, we had not talked or seen each other - even though we live less than five miles away from one another - in three years. THREE YEARS!
Sure we liked each others photos, commented on status updates, and even followed each other on other social networks.
But with each click, like, comment, and observation, I think we can both agree on this: we didn't get any closer. Our relationship didn't really exist outside of having a computer.
She had no idea that I had retired from PR and went to school full time, while she started a new job. I haven't seen her new place or seen her husband since before they got married - two years ago - she's only met my hubby in passing. Her doggy's got older, my Chatito died.
Yet through all this, I update my feed daily as does she. Sure I knew about her new shoes and she had seen my new camera photos, but I didn't know how much she loved her new job or why she left her previous. While she didn't know where my passion for photography and story-telling was born.
These are all things that as much as you share, you can't fully understand the reason why of it all until you HEAR IT and see the persons eyes as they talk to you.
Thats the thing about social media: you think you are close and really know someone when you see their photos, comments, and updates on your screen or even on your phone...but the truth is, you really don't.
Social media only has one layer...and our life, as my mom likes to put it, is like a rose: we have many petals in our life, all part of the same rose, yet all different.
We don't all post 100% of what happens in our life, what we think, or what we are going to do. We are all guilty of making assumptions, reading into typed words, or glazing over pictures...and rarely will we ever find out if we are wrong or being presumptuous...unless we communicate outside of social media.
Which brings me to this thought I have been having as of late: Life happens outside of social media.
Sure friendships and relationships can start with the click of a mouse, the share on your wall, or the comment on a photo - but for those relationships to REALLY exist and last, real time invested has to happen.
With the start of Passover and the celebration of Easter, I think it's the perfect time to reach out to those you love.
Call your friends, make time for dinner, share a quick shopping date or just leave someone a message. Yes, a message...because hearing someone laugh beats reading "LOL" on your cell phone.
Forget Facebook for a few hours, ignore email outside of checking it three times a day, post without strategy and make an effort to meet your colleagues instead.
Spend time looking, reading, laughing...EXPLORING...all without your cell phone in hand....
Feel emotion when you take a photo...do what moves you.
Stop and breath.
Do all this and all that matters to you, and you will soon find out that you become a more rounded person and better at whatever you do...including being a friend.
And isn't that what Passover and Easter is all about: Rebirth...starting fresh...and being a better version of you?
Ana Lydia
