I have a lot of friends on Facebook, so many that I don't even remember who all of them are. I have to go through the list once in a while just to remind myself. I am not a person who really glories in having a lot of friends. Give one or two good friends, and I am content. For this reason, losing contact with most of the people on my friends list is not really that big of a deal to me. It's not like we've been talking to each other. Some friends I haven't even talked to since we became "friends". Sad...
The problem is, there are people on there that I would like to stay in touch with. Facebook is the way to do that nowadays, I fear, and so if I leave, what will happen? Will people check their e-mail? Will I talk on the phone more or text more? It will be a completely new lifestyle for me, and I will essentially be forcing those around me to adjust theirs (even if it is just a teensy bit) if they want to stay in contact with me.
The thing is, I love my friends, and it doesn't matter (at least for me) if we don't talk for years. I have come to understand that God puts people in my life for certain periods of time. If someone needs to be in my life, they will be. If we stop talking for a while, that's ok. It doesn't mean we'll never talk again.
I struggled, at first, wondering if I really wanted to get off of Facebook. I felt like I would lose so much by getting off, but now I am at peace. As I begin the process of removing myself from it, there is a sense of liberation and anticipation in the back of my mind. Facebook has been a part of my life for over five years. Leaving it feels like I am entering a new chapter, like I am embarking on an adventure. My hope is that it will encourage me to have more real connections with people.
There are probably good reasons to stay, yet all I can think is that it really is not necessary. It has had a good run in my life. It is time to part ways.
