So, in my last post I covered the really negative side of reconnecting. You know, the kind that destroys trust in relationships, and has people packing their bags to be with someone from the past? So in this post I want to address the fact that there are positive ways to reconnect with people on social media.
Two very dear leaders in my life, who helped me ride my horse better, learn to lead better, and are featured in many of my “when I was growing up,” and “that one time, at horse camp…” stories are on my social media page. I get to look up to these two women, even now. I still receive advice and encouragement from them. About 10 years ago, I moved roughly 1000 miles away from my hometown. I didn’t bring their phone numbers, and I didn’t snail mail connect with them. Social media has been a huge blessing to me in allowing me to still share life with them.
Another positive instance? My childhood best friend, and her adorable little boy – I love seeing pictures of him, and knowing she is doing well. We don’t really talk much per say, and I don’t have her phone number, but I love knowing about her life. We were super close and share some awesome memories, and now we both have families.
Being so far from where my parents are, I love that social media let’s me share pictures of my kids with them, along with funny quotes and updates. Many of the things that I post on social media would never reach Grandma’s ears, because I don’t always pick up the phone every time my kids do something funny.
So, social media can help us connect to long-distance people, and people from our past that are not out to get us. Plus, I’ve been involved in a prayer group online through social media, and some mom groups, and found support through online community. Social media is definitely not all bad, but we all have to be responsible and wise with how we use it and who we connect or reconnect with while using it.
Who has had a positive influence on you, through social media?
Regina Walker 
Oh boy, where do I begin? I live an entire continent away from home and calling the folks back home more than once or twice a month is more than we can afford now. So Facebook has been a HUGE blessing to me. I even have a secret group that’s just me and my mum so we leave messages and private stuff for each other.
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Thank you so much for sharing, Sharon. I love to hear this kind of positive story about social media!
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I live pretty far away from the rest of my family so we stay in touch via facebook. As for other social media, as a review blogger, Iove being able to get in touch with brands and coordinating reviews, and connecting with other bloggers!
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That’s great, Diane! Thank you for sharing.
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I love the fact that I can share baby pictures with family that’s far away (especially since I’m terrible about mailing them out).
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Katie, I agree. I’m very bad about mailing out hard copies. Social media allows my mom and dad who live far away to see the kids growing! Thank you for your comment.
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Regina, great blog. I am very new to social media and definitely starting to see the ways in which we can reach out and touch so many peoples lives around the world. I loved that you gave GREAT examples of people who have touched you in your life that you had the joy of reconnecting with through this technology. Thanks for sharing the wonderful ways in which social media can enhance our lives.
Dr. Samantha Joseph
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Dr. Joseph, thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to read my blog.
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Lovely article. I find social media helps me coach my senior clients at Social Skills Success so much! For grandparents who are far from family, social media can be a door opener! For me, connecting to other parents with kids on the autism spectrum has been a huge help over the years.
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It is wonderful that way! I find that social media helps with the long homeschool days when I don’t get to leave the house. I can send pictures and connect with other mom’s and realize I’m not alone on those hard days!! Thank you for your kind words, Claudia.
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