I have recently spent time contemplating FB and whether or not I should continue. I’ve cut down on the amount of time I spend and the things I do when on. I update my status less and less. There are only a handful of people who seem to comment on things I post. I waiver on how and when I comment. At times I actively participate in people’s lives and other times I am more of a stalker!
There have been some recent changes that I don’t care for, like when strangers comment on my photo’s because they are friends of people I tag. I worry about security issues and my life becoming too public (not that I have anything to hide!). I have every privacy setting in full swing. I don’t care to see all of the games that people are playing and don’t care to be invited to play. I love to see friends’ pictures! I feel honored and blessed to share in people’s lives. I laugh when people post what they are doing… when really what they are doing is posting on FB! Dinner menu’s intrigue me. I don’t care for political posts. Reading about the mileage from runs and bike rides that people take should motivate me (emphasis on “should”). I get bummed when I post and NO ONE comments or everyone just LIKES it and does not use their words!
Occasionally I look through my friend list and try to clean house. That is so difficult for me. I usually talk myself into keeping everyone! I have friends from my school days, college, my 20 years in CA, family, church, and my profession. While I don’t communicate with most of these people, there is a connection. At any moment I can bring one of them up on my screen and visit their life or make contact. I can rejoice with them as they celebrate or pray for them as they share a loss. I have “friends” far and wide and may never see most of them again in my lifetime. The thought of unfriending or giving it up altogether would be like cutting myself off from a lifeline. That may sound strange, but it makes me feel sad to think about suddenly not having the ability to connect with people. I’m connected with parts of my life that I will never get back. I think about all of the amazing people who I said goodbye to after 20 years in CA. I love that I still have a path on which to walk with them… even if it is only on FB. It is such a quick and easy way to be connected with folks.
Hmmmmmm…. I think I have my answer!
Thoughts and Reflections on Life 
I also struggle with the same thoughts about fb. Is it really adding to my life or becoming a substitute for real relationship? Hmmm….
Jenny, I love FB for all the people it keeps me in touch with, people I truly love but who have moved to far-flung regions and whom I would probably not been able to keep in touch with otherwise. I kind of think of FB as the modern equivalent of rocking chairs on the porch of the small-town general store. But there’s room for more people.