Social Media and Connections

One of the amazing things about online social networks is how one can make such interesting and unexpected connections. I could never imagine some of the ways people have found their way into my life through those platforms. Presumably that is true for others as well.

Another remarkable thing about social media connections is how they can provide powerful and useful self-reflections. Sometimes a new person enters into an online dialogue that also provides some new vantage point. That is exactly the story of my interactions with Amie.

Amie arrived into my social media network through another friend, Tiffany, who I also met online. Tiffany was a connection to an author who I’ve only interacted with online who was a connection to one of my previous publicists. See what I mean about the strange and curious ways these connections appear?

At any rate, Amie asked innocently enough what the day ahead looked like, to which I responded with a stream of consciousness. “Morning contemplative work. Then facilitating sessions on suicide and violence prevention with some public health planning. Weave in a few coaching sessions, then off to my Toastmasters group tonight to provide some feedback. At 9 pm, I expect to collapse like an exhausted toddler. A Mexican friend calls these ‘very large days.’”

Amie replied. “That sounds incredibly fascinating. I understand why you said the line between anxiety and exhilaration is a fine one.” (As an aside, I often say that the only difference between being on a roller coaster and being terrorized instead of being exhilarated is the attitude we bring to the ride.)

“This is not an uncommon day, though I do have to weave in days to recover from myself and my life. A long back story that begins with getting sober more than thirty years ago, and knowing I’m living a very fortunate life. I’m indebted for that good fortune. And grateful. So from a psycho-spiritual point of view, I’m committed to the healing of the world. Which sounds quite grandiose, except that the Universe keeps bringing me incredible opportunities. I feel it is what I signed up for in this incarnation - to say yes to life.”

“Thank you for sharing … I do completely understand about the Universe bringing opportunities,” Amie commented. “I often feel like I’m along for an amazing ride. Just have to stay open for what’s presented. I often wonder if it is just impulsivity, but it all seems to work out.”

“Perfect, Amie. Seems to be some strange fusion between the Tao (or the Force, or Whatever) bringing a flow of stuff, the occasional emergence of serendipity, or fate, or circumstance, an ego that can be quite compulsive or delusional both of which are apparently quite normal, and presumably some kind of intention within each of us. I love that each of us are on a tight rope delicately balancing in and with all those things. Sometimes we fall off only to somehow mysteriously return to the rope. Seems pretty charmed to me!”

“LOL … Beautiful … I’m going to reread that description several times today.”

“Me too, Amie. I just realized that is going to make a nice blog. What you drew out of me unintentionally is a great self-reflection, this self-portrait of who I seem to be, or think I am, and how I attempt to understand the world and the Spirit of the World. No idea how that might benefit anyone else, but it sure is useful to me.”

Seeing True™

“We’re a glorious mess.” Master Samwise

*****

Life gives us moments and for those moments we live.