Long ago were the memories of the wafting aroma of freshly baked cake, bread or the sweet fragrances of fresh-cut flowers being ready for the welcoming of a new family into the neighborhood community.
Growing up in my “Baby Boomer Generation” there was a welcoming protocol to most neighborhoods.
Whenever we would see a moving truck pull into the neighborhood the children would get excited and wonder if the new family would have kids that could be possible new playmates.
The “grownups” as we called them would get busy putting together cakes, cupcakes, meals or a bunch of handpicked flowers to call on the new neighbors welcoming them to the neighborhood.
The families would take turns greeting the new neighbors by knocking on the front door or ringing their doorbell and introducing themselves carrying homemade, welcoming gifts.
There was also something called “The Welcome Wagon” that some neighborhoods also used in addition to personal welcomes as described.
Recently while participating in a Twitter Chat by chance the very drastic shift in our daily lives jumped out to me.
There is hardly any children playing outside, neighbors sitting on their porches or neighbors ringing doorbell delivering welcome gifts.
Plentiful is the “Virtual Communities” that have no doors with knockers or doorbells, just keyboards that with one keystroke can “Like” or “Obliterate” the lives of anyone or everyone in a particular virtual community.
We now have Emojis to express our feelings including, cakes, hearts, and flowers!
The problem with emoji is that you cannot smell, taste or feel them and share those sensory experiences with another living being.
Virtual communities are growing in leaps and bounds, but people are feeling lonelier than ever.
Depression is at an all time high and selfies abound! What is this compulsion to photograph one’s self every breathing moment implying that life is one big party??
All the non-stop social sharing masquerades as communication. It is not social sharing if there is not any exchange or reciprocation.
After I participated in a random twitter chat it was pointed out to me that so many feel left out, not heard and not even greeted with a proper hello. The gratitude for taking the time to take part in a chat or give to the community by attending is scarce and more times than not, reserved for the social stars that bring numbers to the game.
This ignited my thoughts about how many people have taken their time deciding to become part of “My Virtual Community.” Have I greeted all with a “Hello” and “Thanked” them for hitting that Follow button or “Liking” my Tweets, FB Posts, Pinterest Pins or Instagram Images?
This Post is for all those I have missed out on saying a proper “Hello” greeting and “Thanking” you for deciding to become a member of my community!!
I would love to be able to stop by for a cup of tea or if it is five o’clock somewhere a glass of wine!
I would like to bring over a cake, freshly baked bread or a bunch flowers and tell you that you matter and you are not just a number acquired for social media statistics.
Call to Action for My Community:
I would like to influence my community to participate on social media by sharing, exchanging and reciprocating with me and their own micro-communities.
I invite you to drop me an email: ksdpinterest@gmail.com Say Hello, a few words to connect or hit me with a tweet @KatieSheaDesign, Friend Request me on FaceBook, Leave me a comment on Instagram , Say Hi on Pinterest or leave me a comment below!
I will respond as soon as I can.
Virtual Communities can launch off-line communities where people’s presence and participation make a difference.
Social Media is just the cocktail party leading to the main event! ~ KSD
Best,
Kathleen
Image shot with a Verizon iPhone6 smartphone, edited with the snapseed app and designed with the picmonkey app.
Disclosure **I am a member of #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger Team. I am supplied with different devices to use and test.. All opinions are my own. **
Katie Shea Design 