Saturday, February 8, 2014

Why I like Facebook! :)

Of-course life is not perfect. It has its ups and downs. Yet it is beautiful.  Just like relationships.

As human beings we want to and tend to remember all the good times. I don't remember my terrible fights with my brother while growing up, but I have memories all the thoughtful things that he has done for me since childhood. I also don't have pictures of stressful, horrible times my parents and I have experienced, but we do have a collection of the good times we have shared together as a family. Now, when you leaf through our family albums, which my mom regards as a treasure, would that make you wonder if my life is perfect or want my life? C'mon, that's such a silly thought!

So why is Facebook different! In my grandfather's generation, it was common to visit people (and not telephone) to greet them. It was also common to display family pictures and souvenirs from travel in houses, and have wedding albums et al as coffee table books. In my mind, Facebook has replaced just that. I would 'friend' my friends (anyone who I am also open to inviting over to my living room) on Facebook, would greet them through Facebook, and share what I would share had they visited me. Then of-course there are privacy levels and settings!

Now, how does that make my life perfect! Or make anyone else have my life, or vice-versa! Isn't that a very juvenile thought? I would argue that people who are less vocal on social media (Facebook is just a part of it) actually don't have strong opinions or are just more cautious of taking a stand in public in general. Even I would be at times. I am not very informed about the state of Indian healthcare system currently and would certainly avoid the subject.

On the contrary, I like the feeling of being 'connected' to friends and family through Facebook at all times. When I wake up in the morning and scroll through my feed to find my friends, Sancharita's or Shuchita's pictures, I feel so very happy for them. It kind of makes a part of my day in a silly way! I love to find out that my brothers had fun the previous night, or my bua and uncle are finally settled in Nigeria. All this and more without even having spoken to them for weeks at a stretch at times. Now, that's super convenient - and I promise I still love my life with all its imperfections, and wouldn't take it for your's :)