But Mom those are my friends....

The love of Facebook

5 years ago I literally banned my daughter from being on Facebook, the online social networking community that is EVERYWHERE! She was connecting with people all over the world that she didn't even know; the goal being to collect as many "friends" as she possibly could. She would adamantly say, "But Mom, those are my friends!" With that goal in mind, most of her peers announced the same thing to their parents.

From a parents perspective it was a dangerous trap - it scared the heck out of me. I felt there was too much information being shared and too many people had access to that information. I remember telling her, "Those people are not your friends, they're simply names and faces".

Well, today, I've changed my tune completely. In fact, part of the professional service I offer my clients is how to get on Facebook and how to effectively use it for your business. I've seen my clients businesses grow by 30% simply by creating a Fanpage and interacting with their fans. I've also made some wonderful friends, yes friends! Not just names and faces.

In taking the time to get social with the people I'm connected with, I've built friendships with many that I would NEVER have had the opportunity to meet in the past, both new and old. Those connections run from California to Georgia, from Illinois to Florida and across the globe to Europe, Australia, South America and New Zealand. (You all know who you are.) These people and their friendships have enhanced my life as powerfully as the friends I connect with in person and who are in my local community, bringing inspiration and joy to my life on a daily basis. Facebook also offers us the chance to keep in touch with those who have moved away/relocated, who are house bound or simply too shy to chat in person.

There is still a lot of controversy about Facebook and the information being shared. I do encourage my clients to be somewhat discreet and cautious about what they post and who they accept into their Facebook Circle. There are those that will take advantage of you no matter what you do or say, on line and off line.

Gratitude rocks and I am thankful for Facebook and the many opportunities it has provided me both personally and professionally. Especially those I call my friends. Thank you for adding a little more bliss to my life! And a GINORMOUS thank you to those of you who shared in my birthday bliss, sending wishes of love, light, peace, prosperity and again, bliss.
That's what friends are for!!