On the Power of Twitter

I'm not going to lie.

Some days, social media blows me away.

I mean, really, how long has it been since you've reviewed your connections online?

If you're like me, you like facebook, but you like twitter even better. You consider your (for lack of a better word) tweeps extended family. In fact, sometimes interacting with them seems more rewarding than with your RL friends (that's real life for the rest of you folk), because at least your twitter friends don't think you're crazy.

Am I right?

When I first dug my heals into this whole social media thing, I was looking for community. You see, the creative community in Chilliwack (where I currently reside) is fairly non-existant. Asides from your typical knitting craft show, there isn't many free-spirited creative-minded entruprenual-types making their way out of the woodwork here.

(In fact, if you consider yourself that sort of person - I would love to hear from you!)

After breaking into the mold, struggling slightly with my online identity (what to share, what not to share), and feeling like the new kid that starts 1/2 way through the school year when all the other kids are already friends, I started to feel at home.

Like anything, it takes time and effort - but the network I'm creating is starting to come together (and at the risk of repeating myself, like an extended family of sorts). In the run of a day I can ask for help, get directions, give advice and find a great place for dinner.

But every once in a while, I run into someone who just doesn't get it, and then I tend to go off on a bit of a tangent. Because really, I still like to step back and marvel at the wonder that is social media. I am still blown away how quickly news can spread through twitter, or how small companies can gain clientele simply through facebook, or just by the awesomeness of it all.

Just the sheer enjoyment of being able to send a direct message to Jann Arden gives this girl goosebumps.

It gets so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of new technology, that I think we seem to overlook exactly what is going on right under our nose. We currently have the ability to literally connect with almost anyone with a computer. Tell me that isn't remarkable.

The next time you hit sign-in (or sign-up!) take a moment to reflect on how far we've come in the world of communication and networking.

And maybe say a little thanks for all it has done for you.

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