Contrary to the popular belief that social media delineates us, over the past year, I found a way to make glasses of lemonade out of the lemons that social media was throwing my way.
Like many, I am plugged in to many social media channels. Like many, I tend to indulge in them especially in the evenings, supported with not so healthy food choices. I made myself particularly comfortable with YouTube: it seems to be my favorite. With pesky commercials disabled, YouTube’s landing page describes me perfectly well and offers everything I could ask for: a favorite channel for workouts and dancing, yoga and meditation, mindfulness and inspirations, news and documentaries.
Some of these I have been following for years: naturally, they grew their following and expanded, and I am honored to observe this upward evolution.
My carefully vetted YouTube channels make me happy. They represent an invisible network of friends who don’t know each other, but are there to lift you up and out of any nasty situation, to inspire and give you faith. I want to be like them, I grow with them…and I also wanted to let them know how thankful I am for them sharing amazing ideas and shaping me up to be a person I am today.
As a result, I made it a regular practice leaving likes and comments under the videos that touched me most, for I know how far a simple thank-you note can go. When perfect strangers would message me after my speech performances to let me know that I touched their hearts and inspired in ways unknown to me, I instantly thought : “Why don’t I do the same to others?” – and this is how I started the chain reaction of social media gratitude.
Surprise will be an understatement when I came to notice that all, but one, of my favorite channels like and respond to me! Me, a girl without face and name in the borderless universe of Internet, thousands miles away, daydreaming about her life, stuffing mozzarella cheese with grapes in her mouth while making notes of floating inspirations, for they should not be forgotten! “Congratulations! XXX liked your comment,”- YouTube doesnt hesitate to share the news that those you have been inspired by, listening to, found time to notice, process, interpret and respond to my message.
Fifteen years ago, I could not even dream about Britney Spears reading, let alone liking, my comments. Yet, today, it is a distinct reality.
This only leaves me with two thoughts. The first is about sharing kindness: if you find that someone made your day better in whichever small way possible, why not thank them and share back the light. I will never forget how one of the ladies responded to me on YouTube and said that I “made a rainbow in her heart.” This alone makes it all worth it.
My second thought is about courage: we often find ourselves undeserving of people or opportunities, thinking “Why me? What is my chance of being noticed?”, engulfed by fear and crippling self-esteem. Yet, if you turn fear into love and dare to reach up high or higher, to your surprise, you can reap the sweetest fruit.
Dare to be brave. Turn fear into love, even if it is only on social media.
