digitalZENDO

Let me start with a fact. I really enjoy Twitter, having had an account for nearly a full year. Having said that, over time I've made a few observations on one or two aspects of it.

One thing that you notice, if you spend more than a week on Twitter and follow people is how plentiful quotes are. Most of them are deeply insightful, brilliant in certain instances and certainly heart felt. After seeing so much of this, a question naturally appeared for me. That question was, "Why? There must be a reason for so many people sharing them."

I could be 100% wrong and as such will to admit it, when I am. My sense is that people share these quotes because they are trying to lift or hold people up, as we engage in our day-to-day life. So many of us have felt slighted, unappreciated, compressed and squeezed, down in the dumps, lonely, depressed, uncertain, frustrated. How to we maintain a sense of hope and direction?

Sometimes a good to great quote is like a boxer who is beleaguered, beaten up and only left standing because they are holding on to the ropes. It can be the quote that helps to support, encourage us and keep us from letting go and collapsing. While this is very useful and positive, there is another side.

When I was 20 years old, sitting in a counselors office, knowing that I had failed a drug screen, I said, "I'm really thinking about getting clean." My counselor said, "You've been thinking about it for about 11 years. Instead of thinking about it, how about going from the theoretical and doing something tangible and living recovery?"

Though at the time I thought it was harsh, he was right. No matter how good and idea, quote or plan, it has greater meaning when we find a way to integrate, harmonize and reveal it in our day-to-day actions. This brings up the second thing that I noticed. The experiences.

What I enjoy most about Twitter is the sharing of "real" life experiences. I enjoy a good story and people manage to either tell it in 140 characters or point to them in blogs and other sites. I find it really hard to pass up a well told story.

I loved the message that said, "I was planning on staying inside, but decided to walk the dog and had an awesome time. I need to do this more often." That was terrific. Better still, how about when georgiaelizabee, twittered about How To Cook Your Life. That was a really nice resource to be pointed and gently nudged towards. And what about when I was struggling with having labeled someone as a friend, while experiencing contractions in their behavior. Zenstorm encouraged me to "Give up your imaginary friend.Take a look at what's in front if you." And then said "Give up the label and look again."

I deeply appreciate having the opportunity to share and connect with the shared experiences, though Twitter. I say, sure - go ahead and quote until your hearts content, but afterward tell us what you actually did that quote and how was it manifested in your life.

Namaste'

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
digitalZENDO