Sorry

[flinnigan]

Apologies for disappearing for so long. I've given up facebook for lent and committing to spend that online time here.

 

[Rae1889]

Oh no! Facebook! I could never do that. My farms will die and my pets would get lonely, and my friends would think the worst! Lol jk about the farms and things, but my friends would be littering my wall with who knows what, which I can't delete before my parents see

 

[Nakamova]

Too much responsibility -- that's why I don't have a Facebook page. I know I'm missing out on stuff, but I'm gaining in other ways...

 

[Rae1889]

Yes, you are gaining by not adding an addiction to your life. I have once read that there have been reports of children who go into withdrawl like symptoms from not being allowed to use their computer or cell phones. Children have gotten sick, emotionally unstable, mentally unstable and refuse to eat or drink for days. I would not be surprised if the withdrawl like feeling created a few Psychogenic seizures from the stress and strain on the body and mind. Children have attempted suicide from the empty feeling they had without their electronics. In a way it has become an addiction for them.

I often joke that I love my cell phone so much that it should be surgically attached to my hand. But I know that when I lose it, I get cranky, panicky and angry. a whole flood of feelings and then a few times I have cried. missing contacts, pictures, video, friends etc.

So I am glad to have you back! Its a way better place than facebook. *although I do think I am addicted to this too. I thought about giving up internet for a month, but then I'd go crazy n ot being here. even one weekend away, I can't wait to get back and read the new posts*

 

[Bernard]

Finding the right balance between the internets and real life can be difficult at times. Good to see you back on CWE.

 

[Rae1889]

Yeah, it actually acts like a second home here. so its very similar to real life. Facebook is just a bnch of applications, games and random postings. I'm sure once your away from it for a while, you'll realize how insignificant that site is.

I actually had to google what twitter was. i still cant grasp that concept

Edit: last year almost 2.5 million chose to give up facebook and succeeded

There were also almost 3 million people who gave up cell phones for lent and succeeded

 

[flinnigan]

Actually I'm not missing it at all. I also committed to reaching out to my facebook friends in person. Face to Face communication - whats that? Now if its defense. It was another lifeline I had this past year while being home-bound and recovering. I connected with people I hadn't seen in years and was able to let them know how I was doing. I quit farming a few months ago for the same reason too time consuming, but that too was great fun while I was recuperating. The best part was actually being on my cousins farm in England and him popping up, we had great fun chatting while caring for his crops, ever so silly. I'm also embarking further into my volunteer position with The Epilepsy Foundation. I'm meeting with some people here in town who work for Community Mental Health, one of which also has Epilepsy. We've lost the conference for this year do to low enrollment last year and he wants to start a grass roots movement here. I'm very excited.

 

[RobinN]

You put a smile on my face.

Where as FB is seen as a time waster, it has actually taught you the possibilities for your life. Dependency can actually lead us to a new stage in life when we can see our accomplishments and move forward with the strength and the "can do" attitude.

Kudos to you and welcome back!

 

[knothing]

Great to have you back Flinn.
Nothing wrong with FB( if you can avoid the games). I was able to get in contact with so many people from my past and establish friendships from long ago. I never would have found them without it. But Twitter is something I can and will live without.

 

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

I actually joined the Epilepsy Foundation of America...another national epilepsy group...and my local epilepsy foundation chapter and I use Facebook as a platform for epilepsy awareness and news. So for me, it's a tool. Albeit a tool that takes time... But I'm not willing to sacrifice my forums OR my website.

 

[flinnigan]

I sued facebook for November and posted a different myth of fact everyday. It seemed as though people truly enjoyed it.