For all of us in our Golden Years, each day is a blessing and a challenge!
Technology is the biggest challenge. We grew up without Google, the Internet, or cellphones! We have to adapt or get left behind!
I chose to adjust my perspective to be part of what my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were doing. We need to learn to text if we want to communicate with them. lol
Sometimes they take texting their friends too seriously, even texting those who are in the same room. What happened to old-fashioned conversations?
One new thing we’ve quickly learned is how to use Facebook and FaceTime to see them. It’s a joy when my great-granddaughter, Maddie, wants to FaceTime her ‘Nana.’ She may be seven blocks from me, but we can talk face to face anytime of the day or night. It’s a good thing we now have unlimited talk time.
Facebook has changed through the years with advancing technology! When I first joined in 2004, we were into podcasting during Adam Curry’s beginning podcasting craze! Many of them knew me through Karmyn’s podcast, the KarmynKast, but didn’t know me personally, and I accepted everyone as a friend.
Therefore, I have a lot of friends I may not know personally but have been FB friends for years, and we have the same interests, values, and a special friendship. I’ve cried with them over their losses and rejoiced with their good news. That’s what friends are for, and I treasure those.
There’ve been times when I’m been in a restaurant, the mall, beauty shop, or nail place, and someone will say, “Suzie Tyler? We are friends on Facebook,” and introduce themselves. I love people!
Social Media is not like that today! Sadly, there are fake Bots, people who hack others’ accounts, and individuals with malicious intentions.
I can no longer use the guidelines I had in the beginning. Instead of accepting anyone’s friend request, I had to adopt new procedures.
Now I first check mutual friends, then I look at their posts. If they haven’t posted in over a year, that is a red flag! Sometimes they have passed away and had their account hacked! Having multiple accounts is another red flag!
Next, I check with one of their friends that I know and trust—a friend who doesn’t accept everyone because of a self-employed business.
Sadly, in today’s techy world, you can’t unquestioningly trust. Verify, verify, verify!
Facebook limits the number of friends you can have, and I’m nearing that number. I only want special people to fill the remaining few spots. I want genuine friends, so I’ve reevaluated my friendship rules.
One rule that has not changed! If you get mad at me and de-friend me, it is permanent. No re-friending me! The few times I have relaxed that rule, I have regretted it!
Times change, and we have to adjust to them! Make new friends and be sure to include Jesus! He is a friend who ‘sticks closer than a brother’ and you can always trust Him!
Have a Blessed and Happy Day!
Jesus Loves You!
Enjoy my adventures and be sure to follow me, SuzieTylerWriter, on Facebook, Instagram, Substack, and my blog, SuzieTK’s Snippets.
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