In the age of Social Networking, Web 2.0, and blogging, the issue of relationships has definitely come to the forefront. Every day more and more social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, & Linkdn pop up on the scene with the lofty goal of connecting like-minded people & business together.
I, being relatively tech-savvy, enjoy these new technological advances as they do make it easier to connect with people who may not only share your vision, but who have the resources to make it happen. Yet, while I laud the positive attributes of these entities, I can't help but wonder about our intimate, personal relationships.
Let me use myself as an example. I am so connected online, that when I went to purchase a new phone, one of the main perks I was looking for was instant Internet access so that I can check my (multiple) email accounts, my Facebook account, and send out the occasional tweet on Twitter. If I take a quick look at the bookmarks that I've saved for instant access, they are: Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, Blogger, & Gmail.
And while I (obviously) enjoy being online and using the Internet to expand my brand, I had to take a step back to relish the real, tangible relationships I have right here, right now. My children, my mother, my friends, my loved ones all deserve the same energy that I put into marketing my ministry and business.
I've had to make the concerted effort to divide my time between my "social" network and my "personal" network. The real world consists of those people around me who are there to catch me when I fall. They lift me up when I'm sad. They love me, care for me, cheer me on, and believe in my dreams. I would be remiss if I didn't nurture those relationships with the same ferver and diligence as I do my social, business, & ministry relationships.
What's the point?
The point is simple. Don't overlook the people who are physically present in your life. Your spouse, your children, your family & friends... the ones who are REALLy there for you... they deserve your time and energy. Give it to them. It's like I tell my children, "What you do matters to someone else." Don't spend all your time "networking". Balance your life and love the people around you.
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