It is amusing to hear some members of the main stream media mention that Twitter could be blamed for so much of the unrest in the Middle East.  These recent outbreaks of violence, demonstrations and the like have been happening in the Middle East for thousands of years – yes there was life before Twitter.  People demonstrate because they are passionate about something.  Twitter and other social media platforms were used to facilitate the assembly, no doubt. Texting also helped.

Just like when you want to meet your friends or kids somewhere you probably text them.  Many folks have cell phones without data plans and still can get text messages.

The point here is that you communicate, you find a way.  Many parents I know ONLY started texting because that was how they could reach their kids.  I have one friend who refuses to carry his cell phone most of the time because he wants to TALK to his kids, not get a random text from one of them asking for money!  He wants to connect to hear their voices as opposed a text that he feels is impersonal.

Yes. Texting allows you to be in one place and communicate with many others. But while you do that what is that person across the table looking at you thinking? How about, “I guess there are others more important than me…”

It is so common to see people in appointments and meetings looking down at their cell phones, disconnecting with where they are to wonder what maybe better or more important, fun, etc.  Feel insignificant yet?

And lots of people, your “friends”  know what is going on in your life because they cruise your Facebook page and you never even know it.  Have you wondered where face to face relationships will be in 10 years?

All this leads to a communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, hurt feelings all because we are not taking the time to ask for clarification of a compressed text message or those dreaded “tweets.  It all is kind of scary to me.  I am taking a page out of one of my friends book and leaving my cell phone in my bag when I am with a customer – whether I am in a meeting with them or at lunch with them.  He always makes me feel like I am on his “Important List” and I have noticed.

What will you do to make people feel like they are on  your “Important List?”

Facebook has made my life simpler in some ways and complicated at the same time – during the day I can love it and hate it several times depending what is going on.  Then I guess it is not Facebook’s fault, Facebook allows me to see the good and bad in people in more of a constant barrage of information, once again it is the people not the messenger (Facebook) right?

Facebook makes it easy to feel bad that you cannot donate to every cause that people support.  Facebook makes it easy for people to invite people they hardly know to events that they would never invite them to in person, because hey, they like you, but not that much.  Facebook allows people that you “friended” in a weak moment to know what you are doing without becoming involved in your life, giving you support or feedback.  Facebook allows you to invite people (not randomly chosen), to an event many tell you they are coming and they cannot wait – then don’t show.  No call, no email note, nothing to say, “I know I RSVP’ed and you made extra reservations/food, but I cannot make it.”

So what does this tell us?  This isn’t Facebook’s fault.  We have all heard from our parents and perhaps some of us have even said it ourselves, everyday our society seems to be getting just a little more disconnected to the HUMAN side of things.  People give you the finger after they cut you off when you are driving, athletes engage in all out brawls on the fields, tracks and courts, parents post videos on YouTube of kids fighting while they cheer the fighters on.

What is this world coming to?

The other day a friend of mine and I were talking about “Random Acts of Kindness” and how good they make you feel when you do them.  She reminds her kids daily to do ONE nice thing for someone else – no matter how small it may be.  And of course we may say, “Isn’t that sad, to have to be reminded?”  But I say, “Hallelujah!  Parenting is back!”  Don’t ever take for granted what your kids may or may not know, especially when it comes to manners and it also reminds YOU of the importance of common courtesy.

I have another friend that always says, “Thank You.” Even when you aren’t sure it was required, but it is that reminder to me that I need to say it more often if I am questioning if a “Thank You,”  was necessary.  He even says it when he “Blackberry Messages” me.  And now I am making sure I do it too – it makes me feel better seeing it on the screen whether I am getting it or sending it.

Chris Brogan has been saying “Be Human” for a long time and it all sounded good to me, but I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant, the more I become involved and use Social Media tools and the more I see people I know using these tools,  I can really appreciate what “Being Human” means.

So think about doing your part today to say or do something kind for someone. And remind a young person in your life. The more chat rooms, comments on blogs, texting and “facebooking” we do, the less connected we become.  But we still ARE human and we all need to remember that.

What will you do today?

It started when you were a kid.  The person that looked at your paper during tests, the person that wanted “help” with his/her homework, or that person that read the newspaper over your shoulder in an airport.

What do all these people have in common?

Stop Drinking from the toilet!

No initiative, no original idea, easier to “steal” from others than to give up anything themselves, because “Hey, let the other guy do all the work or pay for the newspaper.”  I am noticing this is really easy to do when it comes to Social Media. So easy to lurk and be anonymous. So easy to take someone’s thoughts and make them your own. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me, but some days it really does.  I guess today is one of those days.  Some folks are new to this game, so I understand and they certainly get the benefit of the doubt here. But there are many folks in the “Marketing and Media” profession that are takers and they always have been, if they had gone to the same high school with me they probably would have cheated off my French tests.

Today, they are the people that want to connect with you on Linked In or “Friend you” on Facebook, “Follow” you on Twitter.

Here is a blog post from Chris Brogan that reaffirms really what this is about.  If you are one of the “professionals” that monitors tweets or Facebook content and never provides any help or input to anyone that you are looking at, then this is for you.  Of course Chris does it in such a nicer way that I am feeling right now, he is a grown-up afterall.

I read Chris’s stuff for inspiration for when someone has hurt my feelings, for when I need to learn.  Chris is a “giver” in the “UBER” category.  Not all of us, (which includes me) can do what he does…but we can try.  And in the long run, it does pay off, I truly believe that.

So the next time you are checking out someone’s Facebook page, leave a note.  If you use Twitter, retweet someone’s brilliance of find one of your own. Look around you and see what you can share with the world.

PS. I got this photo from this blog, you may find it as amusing as I did!

This will be a quick post because once you start reading will be nodding your head you’ll be saying, “Hell YEAH!”

Do you buy insurance because you KNOW you will be in an accident or have something terrible happen to your home?

I doubt it. But you do buy it, JUST IN CASE…

There are a few times that knowing how to connect remotely to the office or to family is imperative.

Once may be during a family emergency and your kids or whomever is trying to reach you. Maybe that is why you have a cell phone?  But if you have to relay information to a bunch of people, your cell battery (or your personal battery just wont make it!)

Another time may be when you may just need to work from home because your child is sick with the flu.

Or  may be when you are going to a meeting and the information you were waiting for is sitting on your computer- 2 hours away from where YOU are-speeding down the highway, fearing you will be late!

If any of these scenarios sound like you, then you are no different then I am.

The difference between us, could be that I have some great business partners that have thought these situations through FOR ME and know I need support from them in trying to figure it out when I am NOT in a crisis rather than when I am in one. I  do a lot of road time.

3 things you can do to make your life “hands down” easier, less stressful and complicated.

1. If you don’t have a laptop, get one. (I am a MAC person and it works so wonderful I cannot even tell you!) If you DO have one, make sure it has a wireless modem inside it and plan ahead or ask friends/family where there may be a place – like a library or coffee shop that you can access email or other things you may need where you may be going.  Sometimes if you google the city site of the place you are going you may find a Borders, a library or a Starbucks there.

2. Know how to work your cell phone. Other than “You had me from HELLO…” so romantic but REALLY, you need to know a few simple tricks. I LOVE my friends at Central Maine Wireless -they have been so wonderful in helping me learn how I can access information I need or send information, through my phone. They also tell me what will cost me money. (Thanks you guys!)

I resisted a blackberry for a long time and now I have one, it is that little life buoy that I have when I cannot find a wireless connection or I am in a place where my cell phone (voice) has a bad connection, but my data and texting works perfectly. If you have a blackberry, go to berrytastic.com they have real world forums and a great network of people to help – and yeah, it is FREE!

3. Facebook. I know, you may be cringing when I say that. Don’t use facebook to spy on your kids. Use facebook to connect with family and friends. My brothers graduation class has organized many impromptu BBQ’s, lunch dates, etc. JUST because somebody is in town for the weekend. If you have a family emergency where you need to connect with your relatives for whatever reason – you will be able to do it easily.  Worried about that “friend” you don’t like or feel that you know that well?  Hit IGNORE and you are all set, they dont get a note saying they are unloved, you have control over people that you care less about.

So there – of course I droaned on longer than I promised.

BUT buying INSURANCE for when you need it, is just like making sure you have remote access to your family, friends and office.

You wont be sorry!