I think it’s all about balance, you just have to filter out the good contacts, and try not to “waste” time.

“I think it was Seth Godin wrote a piece about this and quoted a source (forget what at the moment), regarding the number of people we can manage/connect with in our sphere of influence, tribe, (or by other names). It was a pretty small number, actually.

You make some good points here, Bob. I’m sure there are lots of “shiny-self” portrayals (kind of like a “sell sheet” in marketing), but also, some authentic, genuine, and treasured ones as well. I often enjoy “opening the conversation” with people whose paths cross mine… people whose lives have been structured differently than mine… they can bring new perspectives to the table.. cause me to think outside “my box” if you will.

It’s like people who never travel outside their geographic areas… never have a conversation with someone who is different than them… who seem the most uncomfortable in making exchanges with people who express a different pov. We are not always flexible, are we?

Respect, I believe, is critical to all of our exchanges – whether they are with “acquaintance’s” or people with whom we share a deeper connection. I marvel at how many jabs people take within the social networking community. So much divisiveness, sarcasm, and manipulation. Is it all because of the relative anonymity? I think not, but it does provide a forum for abuse and a lack of decorum.

Makes me sad. Sad indeed.

I wonder what it does to our Heavenly Father’s heart – especially when the negative blurbs take place within His own family.

Would that our spirits grieve as His and that we bring even a modicum of civility let alone respect and humility, to this communication venue.”