Facebook?

It's been almost six months since I broke-up with Facebook.  I've had an account for just my family since then, plus a "page" for this blog. I've felt the itch now and again. I've also enjoyed the freedom. When I started dating The Boyfriend, I realized I hadn't considered how my family-only FB related to that sort of relationship. I tried over-thinking it, since I'm so good at over-thinking things. I finally said to myself, "Forget it! You did this because FB wasn't fun anymore. Don't let it add stress again. You want to be "friends" with The Boyfriend, then do it!" (though in my head, I called him Josue, because I really only say The Boyfriend on this blog and at work, not in the rest of my life) So I did it. I asked him to be my friend. And then I asked him to be in a relationship with me. On FB, since these things were already true in real life, just in case I've confused you. And you know what? THIRTY-SEVEN of his friends, many of them my friends as well (just not on FB), hit that little "like" button. And that made me smile. And this is how I knew I made the right FB decision. Because it lead to smiles and only smiles.

And then the other night I thought about contacting someone and realized I didn't have a phone number for them. Or an email address. And that if I had a normal Facebook account, it would be super helpful and easy. So yesterday I said, "What the hey!" (because good girls say hey), and friend-requested some people. I was going to rule FB and not let it hold me back.

Now, you might wonder if you can be my friend. I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. I haven't created a set of rules for who can be my friend and I don't think I will. What I WILL be doing is following the spirit of RICH & FOCUSED that I wrote about back in July. And if FB tries to run my life again? You can be sure I'll be doing what I need to keep my priorities straight.  Facebook is SECONDARY to real life. Not the other way around.

If you've struggled with Facebook, consider pulling the plug. You can read HERE why I did it back in July. Social media is constantly evolving and the way we let it interact with our lives needs to be monitored. Don't be afraid to make a fresh start.

Oh, and don't even THINK of asking me to play FarmVille. Really. Don't.

And as an aside, I'm avoiding making my Facebook commercial as much as I can. I'm not "liking" businesses just to get coupons. They just aren't getting that power over me.

Backwards = Forwards

I adore technology. My Droid is my BFF. My laptop is my bread and butter. My fiber optic wireless internet is a beautiful gift. I live in anticipation of the day I can go 4G. These things allow me to be on constant communication worldwide. And yet, there is an emptiness that they multiply.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

FaceBook has had power over me for some time now.  A year ago this month I took a month away from it and that was was wonderful, but it pulled me back. If I didn't log in, how would I know when someone I was friends with 15 years ago got married? WHAT IF I MISS SOMETHING??  Only weird people don't have a facebook!

I've also found that status updates and tweets leave me without anecdotes when I see my friends face to face.  "I saw the most beautiful rainbows yesterday" "I know, I saw your pic on facebook" "Oh"  *awkward silence*  How much better is it to have a few moments genuine conversation about something than to exchange a sentence or two over the internet? On the flip side, do you ever expect your friend to know what's happened in your life, only to find they didn't read facebook that day?? Oh the horror! They must not really love you! Wait, is that an overreaction?

July 31st I will be deleting my account. I love all 316 of you that are my "friends" over there, but it's time to kick the habit. I've started a new account that for now will be family only.  I've also started a page just for this blog. Anyone and everyone is welcome to "like" the blog page and keep in touch that way. I'll be blogging more often in an attempt for my internet communication to be RICH & FOCUSED and not 140 character snippets. You are also welcome to follow me on twitter where I'll still be tweeting, but that account will be much more of a news-ticker than anything else. Please do not be offended if I don't follow you back.

My internet communications with people will be here on this blog and through email.  I know, I know, how 90's of me! Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.  I want my communications to be intentional

Further suggested reading: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0002438.cfm#

And because bulleted lists are my favorite, here are the ways to know when a new blog is published:
(useful since 98% of you come here from my facebook statuses)

• Subscribe with an RSS reader.  Look for the button over there  ---^
• Subscribe by email.  Also over there ---^
• Follow my twitter account.  Over there ---^
• "Like" the blogs Facebook page  Over...well, you get the idea.

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January 2012 edit:

Be sure to read the FOLLOW-UP POST almost six month later!