How Do I Love Facebook? Let Me Count The Ways

Dear Facebook,    

A few years ago it seemed everyone I talked to wanted to hook me up with you. 


   I figured I needed something else to check on the computer like I needed skinny jeans to come into vogue.  (Another battle lost.)  


        People were already mad at me for never checking my email.

        But, then I got an account, and you had me at "What's on your mind?"  There were so many things I loved that I wondered how I'd ever lived without you. 

Here are just a few of the reasons why you rock my world, Facebook:

1 - You Keep Me Connected 

   I travel for work but you let me reach out to people whenever I want. 

   'Back in the day' to keep up with friends you had to write letters, or (gasp!) pick up the phone.  There was even a point when you could only talk to someone if they were actually home, and they actually answered the phone!  (I lived through this, and I can barely remember it.)  

   Keeping up with people was very time consuming, and the rush of daily life caused many of my favorite people to slip away through the years.  

   Facebook is responsible for so many reunions of old friends, and also for introducing me to some new ones.

2 - Pictures!

   I admit it; at the beginning, I was only interested in you for the pictures. 

   I so appreciate that you haven't complained once about the obscene number of pictures I post.

   I love posting events, sharing adventures, joking and reminiscing about a particular shot.  I love to see friend's pictures;  their kids, pets, weddings, parties, vacations, house projects, new hair cut...  

3 - You Are Positive

   To me, Facebook feels like lighthearted conversations at an especially good party.  (I mean, really:  EVERYONE'S there!)

   Yes, there are times when I'd really 'Like' to have a 'Dislike' button...  But, there's a positive effect of the absence of one.  

   In my experience, there is a definite focus on the good, the happy, the beautiful, and the uplifting.

4 - You Are Real 

   Sure, we can put our best face forward, we can un-tag from those Truly Scary Photos of ourselves...but, we quickly realize that everyone already knows what we look like:   Why hide?

   I am amazed and moved by the humility, wisdom, and humor people exhibit when sharing the events of their lives.

5  - You Inspire Me 

   My friends do amazing things:  they're recycling old furniture into amazing new pieces, going back to school, making art, raising children, running marathons, getting promotions, traveling, campaigning for causes they believe in, and just generally living their busy, productive, lives.  

   It inspires me to do my thing, too. 

   Sharing, in itself, is motivation.  We're not operating in a vacuum, thinking it's all the same if we put something off 'til tomorrow, or next week.  On Facebook, there are friends to cheer each other on.  People are using Facebook to share everything from how to eat better, to how to overthrow their oppressive governments.  

6 - Communication

   The same thing I love about books and journals is what I love about you:  Words, and quotes, and stories, and conversations.

   Words, words, and more words!  I am crazy for the beautiful swirl of language that conveys lives, and passions, and friendships, and love.

   Thank you, Facebook, for helping us all to grow and learn and share our lives with one another.

Your biggest fan, 

Susan

What did I leave out?  

What do you think is the coolest thing about Facebook?