Social Networking: internet vs. in-person

My my my, what a tangled web we weave. In the media world it’s often a frantic comparison, are you doing too much? or not enough? more importantly, are you doing it well?

What’s the answer? Opinions vary across the board. Some are drawn by visual appeal. Some are drawn by fresh new content of information. Some only want bits and pieces. And the list goes on. Why? Because there are countless people, places, sources, reaching out for every second of our time.

Are we over the top in having so many avenues of media in use with Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Photo Galleries, Blogs, RSS feeds etc. or are we reaching people exactly where they are with what they want on their level? Every answer is different. Some follow us very little online if at all. Many, faithfully follow a great deal. Very few follow everything.

It’s daunting even trying to keep up with it all. It is often skimmed over, parsed through then quickly forgotten… result, information overload. Two things are for sure, while people are online awaiting what comes next, there are only so many hours in a day to feed them resource communications. The one thing sometimes lost in the busyness of life is to have a life, and to live it fully with presence and participation in the liturgy, in the community, and among one another.

A balance must be kept. A balance I personally struggle with. One that has required me to shift gears. It can be an incredibly challenging task. Particularly for those who work online.

Take some time, when you can, to follow our resources online and some of what the virtual world has to offer. But remember, a good deal of the people you communicate with virtually are the very ones closest to you: sometimes even in your own home, other family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and so on.

It’s not always possible to physically be with one another for many reasons, but whenever possible, do! The computer world will be there when you get back to it. Keep a balance.

Carol Campbell
Web Editor aka Digital Custodian
(trying to find my balance)