Favorite class blog post

To answer our latest Creative Nonfiction class assignment:

Justin's Facebook post nailed the "Ah ha" moment for me.

It was short and to the point. It was honest. Why do we keep going back for updates from our friends?

To say we don't really care about what a person had for lunch, or that their dog threw up in the house resonates a familiar emotion in that we all can relate to this.

If you go a little deeper, it also makes us realize that we do care, in a unique way, that keeps us coming back. The draw to know that Mary has a headache, or that Sally broke her favorite mug, or that Joe stubbed his toe when he got out of bed is not the important thing that brings us peeking in at FB like 60's groupies.

It's really all about the connection with other human beings. I may not care too much about how Jane's iced tea didn't have enough sugar at lunch today, but I do care about Jane. When Jane shares something with me, it keeps me connected with her.

Sure we laugh at the absurdity of it all, but the bottom line is that Facebook is booming, and we're all right there in the middle of it.

Do I care about how my friends relate their day to me? No. It's not the method that matters. Do I care about my friends? Yes, definitely. I like to stay connected with them, and knowing that they had a bad day or a good day, for whatever reason, is important to me.

Justin got me to thinking. Beneath the invisible suit of armor many of us strap on securely in order to protect our emotions, or the brisk pace we sometimes keep up just to get through a busy day, I wonder if any of us realize just how much we really do care about our friends?

The reason I like Justin's FB post may not be the reason that was expected, but this is why I like it. It struck a familiar chord with me instantly, and then it made stop and think more deeply. Lastly, I realized something about human nature in general. Underneath all that armour, and underneath all that hustle and bustle, our human hearts continue to drum a soft and steady beat.