Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Digital Friends are Real Friends Too







 Friendship is really important to me. I write about it all of the time. I wrote about friendship in "Not Even There" and I am writing about it as I revise my novella "The List of Five - Part 1: Genesis" For some reason, deep friendships always seem to find their way into my writing.

But here's a little secret...

I have always been the type to have few friends.

I'm an introvert.

Always have been.

It's not that I don't like people. I do. Genuinely. But I have always been a little awkward with people, like I don't quite belong anywhere.It's kind of a weird feeling because I watch other people interact with the people in their lives. As I watch I think, why can't I be as loose and carefree as them? It's a strange feeling.

So it is really exciting for me when I meet someone who isn't worried about my awkwardness, and really just wants to be my friend.

Some of the best friends I have met, I have met online.

I have a friend who is so great to hang out with online, that I wish I could do so every day.

I have another friend who makes me laugh like no other.

Yet another friend makes me always want to be better, personally and professionally.

And many, many more.

The catch is that they are all online. I have never met any of them in person.

I guess all I want to say is that if you need a friend, open your eyes and don't forget those who are reaching out to you online. And if you can be a friend to someone online, please do. Be kind and show them that you care. It may be the difference for them when they really need someone.

7 comments:

  1. Friends is friends - online or off!

    Like you, I've always been introverted and never one to make a lot of friends. But online, it's a little different somehow. That's a good thing!

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    1. I have to agree, Brandon. At least online I can be myself and not worry what people think of me.

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  2. It's made a huge difference in my life, that is for sure. I've never had a large group of friends that I could trust and truly say enjoyed being my friends until I met all my blogger, author, reading, etc. friends. <3

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    1. Me either Hilybee. But I'm so glad that I've made the friends I've made, online. :-)

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  4. Count me among the introverted with few friends. Being online has exposed me (not literally, no one needs to see that) to a whole bunch of wonderful people I've not met in the flesh nor spoken to, all of whom I consider good friends. You among them, dear Jason. What I've found is that these connections and this online, outgoing persona I have is seeping into my physical world. I'm loving that...

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    1. Thanks for being my friend, Julie!
      I don't understand how people can have a lot of friends, but I do on socual media. I'm just socially awkward in person.

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