Are You Friends?

Many say that, the global village has brought us closer as people and has opened us up for better connections. Is this really the case? 

Personally I don't think so. 

So many people no longer want deep relationships, they only want a bigger "followership". A lot more  are also not interested in the relevance or truth of their opinion, as long as they get likes, it suffices. 

Facebook and other social networks are popular because it provides just what people want now: more connections with no emotional attachments. Friendship that is so superficial that, all it takes to break it off is a click! We prefer an avenue that provides the cloak of anonymity and fuels people's deep seated desire to be nasty without consequences. 

Take a little time out and think about these;

How many of your "friends" on facebook will you recognise on the street? How many have you spoken to or shook hands with? How many will come to visit you at the hospital? How many would you go to see if they are in need? 

I believe the reason so many people still feel alone and lost even in the midst of a crowd and thousands of virtual "friends" is because we want the benefits of real friendship without the emotional, psychological and mental investment. An update a day cannot replace a genuine heartfelt check up. A devotional broadcast is very different from an affectionate good morning and how are you?. A real smile and a hug is so much better than a million virtual ones. 

I'm not saying don't make virtual friends. In fact I recommend it. It is still one of the best ways to become socially adept. However, if you are really interested in creating real and genuine connections, go beyond the social media space. Do the actual work of building friendships by investing emotionally and physically in the people. The natural principle of sowing and reaping can't be broken. If you don't sow genuine commitment, you can't reap genuine affection. 

Do the work. Build. It is still the only way. 

Think on these things.... 

~Dr. Samuel Tinagyei

Optometrist, Mental Health Advocate and Certified Master Coach.