Online Friendships: Friends Without Faces

Do you find it difficult to open up to others? Were there times when you needed to tell someone your inner thoughts and feelings but didn't have the guts to do so? If so, then have comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

But then, what could be the reasons behind your reluctance to open up? It could be a fear of being ignored, being misjudged or perceived as weak, or simply not wanting to burden others with your problem. It could be something that stems from way back during childhood when your voice and feelings were not given importance by people around you. Thus you grew up not learning how to open up or trust others with your feelings.

However, with technology, others have found new ways to get things off their chest. Those who have a hard time sharing their thoughts and feelings with others personally may have no problem sharing them online. They open up to people whom they haven't met and do not know personally but have common problems with. They would rather pour out their heart and soul online anonymously. No wonder that a lot of social networking sites and online forums are thriving nowadays.

It's because many people find ease in knowing that their struggle is also someone else’s struggle. That they’re not alone and others have been down the same road. They feel like they found someone who truly understands them and thus online friendships may grow in time.

Friends Without Faces

by Thomas Teague

We sit and we type, and we stare at our screens,

We all have to wonder, what this possibly means.

With our mouse, we roam, through the rooms in a maze,

Looking for something or someone as we sit in a daze.

We chat with each other, we type all our woes,

Small groups, we do form and gang up on our foes.

We wait for somebody, to type out our name,

We want recognition, but it is always the same.

We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes flirt,

In IMs we chat deeply, and reveal why we hurt.

We do form friendships, - but - why we don't know

 But some of these friendships will flourish and grow.

Why is it on screen, we can be bold,

Telling our secrets, that have never been told.

Why is it we share, the thoughts in our mind,

With those we can't see, as though we were blind.

The answer is simple, it is clear as a bell.

We all have our problems and need someone to tell.

We can't tell "real" people, but tell someone we must,

So we turn to the 'puter and to those we can trust.

Even though it is crazy, the truth still remains,

They are Friends Without Faces and odd little names.

 

 

A Friend Forever

I saw a poem this morning posted by one of my friends on her Facebook wall. It's all about a mother expressing her thoughts and feelings toward her child, as a mom I definitely feel the same way...

I’ll always need my son no matter what age I am...

My son has made me laugh,

made me cry, stressed me out,

wiped my tears,

hugged me tight, seen me fall,

cheered me on, 

kept me strong

and drove me a little crazy at times!

But my son is a promise from God that I will have a Friend  

forever!

He is a gift from heaven!

He gives me joy...

  lots of hugs.

and lots of love.

 gives me company in an ordinary day...

He makes me proud.

When I was sick, he cheered me up with the best ice cream in town...

and most of all he is my best friend!

I am blessed with one and only child. Although sometimes I wish I had more children... a brood of two or three would be great. But I know I have no right to grumble... God has given me the best, a son that any mother could ever wish to have for a child!

Don’t Quit- An Unforgettable Poem

As I was surfing online today I came across a familiar poem, while reading it I was a bit surprised that I could recite the next lines that follow.  It was a strange feeling of déjà vu.

 The poem “Don’t Quit” was my motivation and inspiration to pursue my goal despite financial difficulties when I was in college. I had a picture postcard of the poem which I bought from the stationery store across our school.  I neatly placed it on the back of my notebook inside a plastic cover and it became my companion all throughout my college years. I remember that I would recite the poem over and over on the way home while walking from school. Occasionally glancing at the postcard when I forgot a word, soon enough I eventually memorized the entire poem without looking at the note. No wonder that the poem was so familiar to me.  

These words of wisdom had inspired me during my struggles in pursuing a degree. It had lifted my spirits up so many times when I was barely hanging on. It gave me hope to persevere and to keep going no matter how hard life was. In the end, I indeed was able to reach the finish line and acquired the most coveted prize!

Whoever wrote this poem, “Thank you” from the bottom of my heart.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a fellow turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man.

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup.

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.