Tuesday, April 3, 2012

'C' is for Connections....

Perceptions + Quotes + Reality = A to Z Challenge


My husband says I’m addicted to the computer specifically e-mail as well as Facebook. Hah! I habitually plead the fifth on that one!

Although unbeknownst to him, I do frequently ponder his suggestion since I take great pleasure in glancing at e-mail, reading comments in response to my blog, examining text messages and yes, going on Facebook!

So in delving further into this thought pattern, I recognize it’s not the technology I’m drawn to but rather the connections with people; that’s where the contentment derives.

As a little girl I sought out and wrote to pen pals from the backs of Teen magazines. I inscribed in depth letters to friends I’d met through church camp. I was a loyal individual exchanging letters. I would then wait anxiously for the mailbox to offer a return swap.

Since I was an alone and lonely child I poured my heart out onto paper to be cleansed; this gave a home to the words in my head and the thoughts in my heart. The spilled contents had a dwelling to disband and to disperse. However, most notably was the validation of my presence. With each arrival message, there seemingly was a display to make note of my value to the world -or at least a small part of it.

I’ve deliberated over my husband’s implication and as I’ve aged I grasp the idea that not much has changed; pen and paper correspondence has evolved into e-mails, texts, comments and ‘likes’ at the push of buttons continuing to acknowledge my presence on Earth....but I'm still pleading the fifth!

“Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others.”

- Harriet Goldhor Lerner

53 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A good C word excellently described. without connect with others life would indeed be lonely.

Yvonne.

Just Be Real said...

Good post dear one. I too remember writing to pen pals as a teen in those teen mags. Blessings to you.

Sara Kovach / Dare to be Different - Teach! said...

I can completely connect to your post!!!! I can remember the days of pen pals and also the love of receiving mail. I still love to get mail - always searching for something to arrive - other than bills, that is!!
My better half also tells me I am on the computer too much. He just can't understand it, but I think I am in the same boat as you. It is not necessarily the technology, but the connecting to others that has me going back for more

I enjoyed your post.

Old Kitty said...

I couldn't agree more!! I think that's the reason why I'm so addicted to blogger - it allows me these amazing global connections I'd never have otherwise made! yay! Take care
x

Out on the prairie said...

most of my solicitation is electronic, and I enjoy my community

Gail said...

Wonderful quote.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Tracy, We bloggers for the most part LOVE to write... I used to keep a diary (don't know what happened to those things)--and always enjoyed writing things down. I have lots of journals all through the years...

I have met some fabulous friends through blogging, and caught up with OLD friends through Facebook... LOVE IT.

I never 'tried' to put any of my words into a book (just not a passion of mine)--but I certainly am proud of you for what you are doing... Hope you continue to publish lots and lots of books.

Hugs,
Betsy

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I loved having penpals too. The best were the ones I met from camp. But I also had a penpal from France named Sophie - she was part of a project w/ my French class in 8th grade.

Bloggers love to write and connect, bottom line :-)

Jeanie said...

I also loved having pen pals when I was growing up. I thing our blogging and other electronic connections are a modern extension of that. Of course a face to face get together with a good friend can't be beat.

mamahasspoken said...

My hubby says the same thing about me and facebook. The problem I've been having with the written word is when people read more into it then what I wrote...

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Without connections where would we be?

T

TexWisGirl said...

i rather like having friends all over the world, too. :)

Inger said...

What a thoughtful post -- I could see that little girl seeking out pen pals. I agree with you about the connections online. I don't like Facebook, but I love my blogger friends and I email my friends who are not into reading or commenting on my blog. And my husband has no clue and does not understand this either.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Wonderful post! I love what you said about connections. I loved writing and receiving letters, too. When I was hoping for a letter, the moment the rural letter carrier stopped by the mailbox was magical. I would walk out to the mailbox, full of anticipation. If I didn't get anything, I'd start hoping for the next day!

Blogging has been a blessing to me because of all the connections I've made. I love it!

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

I too had pen pals and it's sad that children today don't get that.

I too love the connections through my blog. I am the only living person in the US that doesn't have a facebook page though. :-)

Sherry Ellis said...

Great post. Connections certainly make life worth living!

My Mind's Eye said...

The word connections has several meanings. Very good post.
C

farawayeyes said...

The importance of being connected. Wonderful 'C;' post.

Nice to meet you Tracy.

Empty Nester said...

Great C post! I am one of those who believes that everything is connected!

Rae said...

I have always been connected too - having pen pals and writing letters. So much easier with email. It's a great way to keep in touch.

Clare said...

I think connections are very important. It's how we thrive as humans. We need contact with other humans, be it in person or through the computer. In this time of technology and people living more widespread, that contact becomes electronic.

Gregg Metcalf said...

This is an interesting and in depth introspection. I barely email and I don't write letters, not very good unfortunately.

MJ said...

Great post! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Rosalind Adam said...

I'm like that too. Mr A can't understand why I have to keep checking emails and chatting on Twitter... and I used to have lots of penpals too. I'd forgotten about that :-)

Unknown said...

Tracy
I love the connections that I've made from blogging it is so fulfilling and fun. I don't do facebook or tweet, I just do my blog. But i must admit i'm also addicted to my smartphone as well as my laptop! My husband's a gamer so I kinda off the hook about my time on the computer :)
Great hearing from you...

Laura said...

Fantastic post and lovely to meet you too. I popped to Amazon to look at your book - sounds fab - going firmly on my TBR list! (BTW if you click the pic on your sidebar, the link's dead)
Lx

Heather Murphy said...

Hi Tracy. I used to write long letters to friends too. I miss it a little to be honest. I would take up a corner in a favorite restaurant and make myself at home with endless coffee. I wish I had the time to do that still but at least there is facebook to keep connected

that guy said...

hurricane is my new friend!

i am not a writer, yet, but daddy and i are working on a book called 40 fish in 40 days or something like that. we don't really know... but we do like to fish!

we are doing the research first, then we will write the book...

thank you for sopping by the blogdog blog...

tUcKeR (and daddy)

a-to-z challenge

Unknown said...

That's lovely. I too like the connections I make on the internet and I'm a lot more sociable on the internet than I am in real life!!! I've always had a phobia about the telephone - I hate talking on the phone LOL (no, I'm not nuts, I don't think. My cousin has the same phobia so it's in the family). Nice to know you!

Jim said...

Hi Tracy! Good to hear from you today! Thanks.
Don't think I can plead the 'fifth' here in Canada, but I will anyway! lol
I feel exactly the same way as you as far as penpals go.....I always wanted to have one and now I do.....through blogging.

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

I loved your C....then read on and loved your B and a too...will be back. Enjoyed the visit.

Unknown said...

Great C post... FB is my lifeline to my old life in the US.. not sure what I would do without my laptop. lol.. Look forward to reading more from you! :-)

Domestic Diva said...

I couldn't agree more with this post, I was an avid "pen paller" too, when I was young and it is that feeling of contentedness that I love so much about modern social networks. Found you on ABC challenge, and am now a follower :)

Donna K. Weaver said...

Great word and very reflective of this awesome blogging community. Love the quote!

Theresa Milstein said...

I probably spend too much time on the computer too. But it's easier to find writers and people I have a lot in common with through blogging. Some have developed into actual friendships.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I've often compared what I do online to having pen pals, but I certainly have a lot more now than I did in school. Connections is a great "C" word for this challenge.

Ginny Hartzler said...

You sound just like me! It is lonely being an only child, but it does have it's perks.

Tracy Jo said...

I love this and love the word...connection. I totally agree with you and for some reason people forget why we use technology. It is just letters turned electronic. :-) I have made so many wonderful connections here and on Facebook. People that have changed my life for the better. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

Wanda's Wings said...

This is so true.

Manzanita said...

Yes,pen pals were fun as a child and blogging is fun as an adult. What surprises me, is what close friendships we make through the written word. It feels like I've known some of these friends forever.
Love from Manzanita

Susie Swanson said...

I so agree with you..I'm guilty in every way..I love connecting on blogger, fb and email..Hope to find you on there..

Julie Flanders said...

This is so true! I loved having pen pals as a kid, and loved writing letters. Now I totally admit I'm addicted to e-mail and other online communication, but it's the same principle. One reason I love blogging so much is the connections I've been able to make with other bloggers. Great post!

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

This was lovely. I sometimes think I'm a bit addicted to the computer too, but it's just as you say - it's the connections that pull me back - checking Facebook to see what friends and family are up to, chatting with blogger friends. We quiet writer types are made for online connections, and I'm okay with it!

Martha said...

I can relate, I am a total blogging addict and like you I do it for the friendship aspect. I was an only child and had tons of pen pals too! Thanks for stopping by my blog, it's nice to "meet" you. I'm a new follower :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love your thoughtfulness on this subject. It's so easy to say that connections are either really good, or that online social interaction is really bad . . . when I think it really depends on the time we spend and the connections we make.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

This is a great month to make connections. We all need them.

carolina nana said...

Great post, I love the connections I've made through technology.
Blessings

Betsy Brock said...

Hi Tracy! I'm glad you found my blog through the AZ challenge...looks like we have several connections! Love that. Had to smile at what your hubby said..mine says the same thing. I however don't do Facebook...can't imagine one more thing to keep up with! ha. I love how we can connect with people all over the world that we wouldn't know about 20 years ago..it's wonderful! I love how I can be inspired and form bonds with people I've never met. It really is amazing. People that don't do it just can't understand it. I have friends that think I'm crazy. hahaha.

Ishta Mercurio said...

I love that quote at the end!

And I agree that this is an age wherein many people seek connections with others through the internet. I don't think there's anything wrong with it - as long as it doesn't prevent us from also fostering connections with those who have a physical presence in our lives.

Good post.

I found you in the A-Z Challenge list. Happy A-Z-ing!

Ella said...

This was beautiful!~ I so agree, it is amazing! I sometimes talk about bloggers and my family looks at me like huh?! And they laugh at me...but they don't have a clue, how connected we are to the fragments of each others' souls! The quote is wonderful, as is your post :D

Connie said...

I feel connected to so many online friends too. It seems like a good thing to me. :)

Nancy said...

Loved this post, Tracy. It speaks about people and technology and connections, indeed. :)

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