To Listen. To Share. But not to Hide.

Social media – that’s what channels like Facebook, Whatsapp, Snapchat and many, many, more are about. We use social media to share, to listen, to communicate, to socialise. A question: Why would you use social media if you want to hide?

I love Facebook and have been a Facebooker for over 10 years – I think I signed up not long after it’s 2004 launch. I learnt about social media because of my interest in internal communications in the company for which I worked – why were our young graduates using this medium to communicate. How could it help us in the workplace? I love WhatsApp and other social channels but know that they are all very public. That even if you think you can’t be seen,  when you are online, you are online. There are ‘secret chats’ but they are secret when you are chatting. Supposedly encrypted so no other eyes can see what you have written.

To me, social media is about connecting, listening, sharing, educating, being supportive and encouraging, having fun. We also use social media for private conversations. Sometimes it can cause problems, as often is the case in all walks of life, through miscommunication and perception.

My song before my verse is Listen, by Beyonce.

I just love this tune, the words and the story, and hope you do too.

 

Stop Look and Listen on Social Media

Listen.

Not only to what is being said

But what is not being said.

Listen.

But don’t be naive.

Listen.

And especially take care where children are concerned.

The platforms take over our lives

Where is …

What is …

Why are …

When …

 

Along with many others, I know

I find myself overwhelmed with

Messages, comments, posts

I ‘share’, comment and post

Sometimes incessantly

Sometimes periodically

Sometimes not at all.

 

I share, comment and post

When I see something that resonates with me

A song, a saying, a simple life experience

Something that

Touches my soul

Touches my heart

Touches my being

I can’t help but ‘share’, ‘share’, ‘share’

If I like it

Some of my friends may too

May want to read it, see it, listen to it

I like it

So share I shall.

 

My friends share, comment, post

I read, I comment sometimes

Other times I simply take it in

Enjoy the stories told, the pictures and music shared.

 

I have a choice

As my friends have a choice

To read, listen, comment.

I have a choice to leave these

Time-consuming social sites.

I have a choice

To ignore or not

I have the choice to

Join the conversation

Or not.

I have used a blocker

To stop me from checking during working time

So that I wasn’t tempted

To disengage with my work.

 

Am I not disciplined enough to change my habit?

I tell myself there’s no harm in keeping in touch

That us humans are natural socialists

This is my way of reaching out to friends and relatives

The world over

This is my way of connecting again

With people I have lost touch with

So and so in Timbuktu, and so and so around the corner

Would I have been in touch

With some of my friends

If it were not for Facebook

Whatsapp, Messenger and more?

Look at my friends list

Not many people in my friends circle

Each person has been carefully selected or invited.

 

But on the other side

I am aware of how social media can cause problems

Emotional feelings come to the fore

Between friends, families, relationships

Work colleagues and bosses

Untruths may be told, whether directly or indirectly

Arguments and mistrust ensue

But remember

It also brings joy and happiness.

 

Joy and happiness when sharing

Happy times, happy occasions, memories

Those beautiful photos of family and friends

Of holidays, special times shared

Of fun and games

Memories from old and near.

 

The mistrust is usually through perception

You may be seen online by a loved one when you said you weren’t

You may be seen online by a work colleague when you shouldn’t be

These are everyday issues we all come across

There’s usually an explanation

 What you say and what you actually do

Can provide the difference 

Between the truth and an untruth.

 

So my message is

If you are a social media user

Openly using a channel or two

If you’re not at work when you should be

Or surreptitiously talking to a loved one

If you don’t want to be found

Don’t use social media

You cannot hide

It’s called ‘social’ for a reason.

 

But, enjoy the time to keep in touch

That’s what it is all about.

Thanks to my Friends and Page followers

Your time spent with me on my social media pages is greatly appreciated.

– 0Oo-

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I write when I can. I write to express feelings. I write to explore my imagination. I write about my thoughts and dreams. I write for enjoyment. I write to relax. I write because I like to write.

If you find words that resonate with you, I’d love to hear from you. If you find a situation that reminds you of something, someone, sometime, I’d love to hear from you. Do hope you enjoy reading Cecilyswritings.

Written by Cecily Lalloo May 2017

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