Is Facebook Harmful or Helpful?

Facebook, I heard on a local news program today, is one of the most, if not THE most, popular program(s) today. Facebook evidently received more hits than Google in 2010, and from what I gathered on the KVOA local Tucson, AZ news program this morning, this accomplishment is something to be heralded.

I am someone who has avoided Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networks for as many years as they have been around...until a few months ago. At that time, I was reeling from a failed marriage and was sinking into a deep depression. I was isolating myself from the world and was certainly not interested in interacting with others.

One day, while visiting my parents' home in Queen Creek, AZ, my brother quietly, and cleverly, suggested that I look at his computer. He happened to be looking at some profiles of some mutual friends from way back in the day (1970's and 1980's). I had been telling him that I was not at all interested in joining Facebook or anything like it. The truth is I was not feeling good about myself. I do not look like I did in those days, and while I have had some significant successes in my life, I have experienced many failures, also. I didn't want anyone to see me, and I certainly did not anyone to know about any of my problems.

My brother told me that he understood (good move to get me to let my guard down). I checked out what he was looking at. I got interested. I decided to join. I figured that things couldn't get much worse in my life. Although I am extremely sensitive to others' opinions of me, I figured that at some time in my life, I needed to learn to accept myself for myself (for all you lay psychology folks, you know exactly what I mean).

The experience for me has been nothing less than therapeutic. I have reconnected with many friends. Although a couple of individuals have made nasty little comments about the changes in my appearance (these people of course claim to be joking), most folks seem to accept me just the way I am. And (for all of you English majors, I know that sentences are not supposed to begin with conjunctions) almost everyone (much to my surprise) looks different themselves. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting caught up with some old friends, and I have met some new ones. My experience has been good.

On the other hand, I hear on the news about Pastors who encourage their congregations to close their Facebook accounts. I know of families that have experienced marital stress due to old flames being rekindled. I'm sure that there are other problems that people experience as a result of joining these networks.

What is your experience? Is Facebook, in particular, harmful or helpful for you? How about for people you know? You have read about my experience. I am truly interested in yours!

2011 Is Going to Rock!

2010 carried with it many good times as any whole year would. However, it seems to me that, on whole, most people are really happy that this past year is PAST!

 

I don't typically watch the New Year festivities on tv, but because I'm not totally post-surgery mobile yet, I did watch some of the celebrations this year . It appears to me, from what I heard and saw and from what I've witnessed on social networks such as Facebook, MANY individuals are truly hopeful that 2011 will ring in a new year of happiness and possibilities!

 

May this year be the best year of all years in many years!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living With Bipolar Disorder

I believe that I suffer from bipolar disorder, and I have seen how difficult it must be to live with and/or be in a relationship with me. I have been told that when someone with this disorder consistently takes his or her medications, life can be fairly normal for all those people involved. However, when one does not follow the prescribed medical regimen, life can be a living hell. Since I have never been treated pharmacologically for this illness, my experience often falls into the latter category.

Everyday is like riding on a roller coaster that can go straight up, drop precipitously downward, and/or go round and round as if it were on a level surface. I experience and witness the pain that the highs and lows can cause.

I would love to hear from anyone willing to discuss their experience with this disorder. Feel free to describe the experience from any perspective that you wish.

Thank you, and I am excited about this topic being the first ever discussed on this blogsite.

I am hopeful that this blogsite will eventually become a central discussion zone for personal stories of all varieties!!!