Making New Social Media Friends

 

 

 

This article might seem strange and out of place, but I want to share something very personal with you.

I’m not sure what inspired this idea exactly, but I really do like having friends from all over the world, with different interests and viewpoints, male and female and in between, of all races and backgrounds. I consider myself far richer and dare I say *smarter* for having made contacts here and read some of the wisdom of those who take the time to share their ideas.

This goes for politics, religion, restaurants, sports betting, movies, music, travel, and many other interests we share. If we are Facebook friends, it’s likely we check at least a few of the same common boxes.

Sadly, I think far too many people live inside a bubble. They’re trapped. Sometimes, they’re trapped and don’t even know it. Over time, that bubble can become a vault. They hang out with the same crowd. They listen to the same people. They eat the same food. They go to the same restaurants. They listen to the same music. They surround — and dare I say isolate — themselves from others with alternative political, religious, and philosophical ideas. I think that’s sad, really. We get one shot at this life, and I can’t imagine the boredom of living on an island.

So, a few years ago I came up with an idea.

I vowed to make 3-4-5-6 new Facebook friends every month. There’s no set number. What I mean is, I try to expand those I know on this social media forum. Oddly enough, in many cases, I have never met nor do I know some of the people who have enriched my life greatly and become Facebook friends. That might even be YOU right now, reading this. Frankly, I’m not even sure meeting or knowing someone is really that important, nor what it’s all about. Think of all the marvelous lessons of life and expanded horizons that have come from those we have never known, including writers, thinkers, and philosophers from the past. People on social media platforms are all over the place, sharing great ideas and stories. All you need to do is — look.

And so. Every so often, I hit a button labeled “ADD FRIEND.”

Typically what happens is this: I’m browsing a FB thread and come across a really poignant comment from someone I have not seen before. I notice the poster may have a common friend. Then, I briefly look at the person’s FB homepage and see what kinds of things they post and what interests they have. I’m particularly impressed with people who *write their own thoughts* and *share original content.” That shows creativity. People who repeatedly post memes or can do nothing more than regurgitate shallow repetition are not going to enrich my life. Instead, what I do look for are thinkers, brave souls, humor, kindness, and people who have that intangible quality that can’t quite be put into words, but you know it when you see it. You just know they are someone who can make you better, or smarter, or laugh more And so, I send a friend request. Blindly. Perhaps even naively. Like throwing a dart into the wind.

Are you still with me?

Think of it another way — if you make a mistake and the new friend you make turns out to be something you didn’t expect, you can unfriend or cancel. Seems like a great ROI with a tremendous upside to take chances on people and try to make new friends. Be selective. Maintain standards. But don’t be shy, either.

Some of you have received “ADD FRIEND” requests from me over the years. Now, you know why I inexplicably reached out to you and took a chance. I’m a huge winner for having come to know you in an overwhelming number of cases.

For those of you who really want to expand your horizons, live a full life, and go to places on this social media platform that you haven’t even contemplated, take a risk. Send a request. Make a new friend. Open a window. Enjoy a different view you have not seen. It’s right there. Despite all the world’s problems, just think of how lucky we all are to be living at this moment in time.

I hope this post inspires others to use Facebook as a means of enrichment. This can be done should *you* be the one to reach out.

Make a new friend.