Facebook, one word that can give you a variety of reactions, some good, some bad. I, for one, like Facebook but I try to use it for what it was intended for, which is to stay in touch with people you don’t see a lot, friends from your childhood, co-workers, etc. Let’s be honest, I have over 500 friends on Facebook, in reality, there are really just acquaintances, most are childhood friends who I haven’t seen or heard from in forty years, ex-classmates who really didn’t want to know me in school and co-workers. I don’t mean to sound so callous but in the real world, there are about 10-15 folks who I actually have any type of friendship with, that’s just the facts but this article isn’t about the friendships, it’s about ending my relationship with Facebook.
As I stated above, I enjoyed Facebook, it is always fun to see people celebrate their successes, pictures of children, grandchildren, vacations, even hearing about people’s hardships, it gives you a chance to offer your assistance or condolences for a family member. I’ve always thought the concept of Facebook was a great idea, even though it was initially invented to rate girls at Harvard. I enjoyed the ambiance of seeing all the joy in people’s lives. Most recently though, that has all gone into the tank and I decided to de-activate my account.
There are folks on Facebook who’s everyday life must just be miserable. I mean, they either need a new laxative, need to get that corn cob unstuffed from their ass or just get yourself some mental help although I don’t believe there is enough lithium in the world for these people because you folks are just down right depressing! Best I can tell, there are several different types of these folks who just seem to suck the life out of any room.
There are the chronic complainers, who seem to wake up everyday with something to complain about. I have an older brother who fits into this category. He complains about everything, taxes, politics, school boards, etc. You would think now that he is retired, he would be enjoying life but no, everyday there is a new complaint. Of course there are the political folks who are experts on everything from the US Constitution, Congress, and how whatever political party they are associated with is so much better that the other. I often wonder if this folks know that both parties are bought and sold by corporate America but I know that these folks just like to push their narrative. These folks are also the ones who are usually complaining about Facebook, how they hate it, how they are heading to a different social media platform but everyday they are back on Facebook, complaining, it’s mind numbing! My favorite group are the religious folks, I always love this group! Now, I’m not religious, I would put every organized religion out of business if I were king of the world, but that is a discussion for another day. These folks will quote scripture, prayers or some biblical verse in one breath and call you a dumb-o-crat, idiot or a motherf—er in the next. I often wonder if these folks every actually read that bible or just like having it handy for whatever bullshit narrative they are pushing on any given day! I think the thing that is most discouraging about this last two groups is, how they lie like they breath, it’s doesn’t bother them a bit to give a bad piece of information or false narrative, just push that bullshit any way they can. Either way, I’m kinda done with them all!
I have chosen to de-activate my Facebook account, this will allow me to go back whenever I chose and check in on the folks I want to and ignore the rest of these chronic complainers. I also am running a grade school reunion and Facebook helps me run it and contact the folks I need to. I am a retiree, earlier than most but I try to enjoy everyday, golf, take a walk, spend time with my family. I just don’t want to listen to this jibberish any longer. I will check in from time to time but for now not seeing this bullshit, day in and day out has been a breath of fresh air for me, you Facebook complainers, you have it, enjoy your misery!
Facebook
I have to say Tony has it right about Facebook. I like it for keeping in touch with family, friends and people I’ve known for a long time. It should be there for celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, life events and of course food posts. The political post drive me crazy and shouldn’t be there. Most of them are inaccurate, miss leading and dumb (I’ll touch on that in my own post). Unfortunately, the political posts have their way to LinkedIn and those should removed.
I was born and raised in the Catholic religion, was married and accepted into the Methodist church. I’ve attended Episcopal, Baptist and Evangelical type services. I don’t understand the religious quotes and things like that on FB. Religion is good for a moral compass or as a guide on how to treat others, but it is not how you govern and never should be. There are too many options with their own beliefs, to use it as a tool for governing. Please research those countries that use religion to govern and let me know how great they are. Please don’t get offended if I don’t respond to a religious post. I don’t mind asking for prayers or thoughts for someone who is struggling. Knowing others are thinking of you or have experienced that same event is comforting.
Though I have a lot of FB friends, not all of them fit into the same category. I care about them, want to know what is going on in their life, but there is a difference. There is a difference in the level of association each of us has with others. I remember a conversation with my oldest son Ryan. It centered around trying to keep in touch with everyone he ever knew or went to school with, and his efforts to not disappoint anyone for not staying in touch. I remined him that the people you come across in life fit into circles. Not everyone can fit into the same circle. It’s not possible and you will make yourself sick trying to do so.
Some people fit into the outer most circle. Past work associates, friends you had in your old neighborhood, friends from grade school or high school, people you played a sport with. Those you don’t necessarily keep in touch with on a regular basis, but it’s nice to see what they are up to and remember those times. Then there is the next inner circle. The friends or work associates you were close with growing up, working with for many years, those you don’t see that often, but think about very often. Those you should call, message or send a FB message to every now and then just to check in. Those you look for on Facebook because you need to know how they are doing. The people you would make time to attend their funeral, because they had an impact on your life.
Then there is that inner circle. Does not include family. Family has its own dot in the center. The same dot you stand on. The inner circle people you treat them like family, you care for them like family. Probably no more than 20 of them. Someone who you may not see that often, but you text or talk with on the phone a lot. The friends you schedule dinner with every so often or twice a year because you live to far away. Someone whom if they called and needed your support, you would drop what you are doing and go help. You don’t need to tell them who they are, they know.