While some of my peers, social media role models, and inspirational friends are making predictions of what will be the hottest social media tools of next year or what huge changes will be made over the follow 365 days, I have chosen to go a different route. I am writing this for the sole purpose to remind my oh-so-techy friends that with technology in 2010 life will continue and I am writing this for my oh- so-”anti” twitter/facebook friends that in 2010….well….life will continue.
On January first 2010 a new year will start. Technology will continue to grow at a rapid pace, and life as we know it will be different by the time Jan of 2011 roles around. However, these things will remain constant, unchanging, and hopefully these 10 things can be a reminder to all of us that, as much as I, we, and soon to be “they”(the soon-to-be participaters in social media) these things will never change. These things will matter, always have and always will.
1. The person that you lay next to when you fall asleep and wake up to in the morning could be there and the overall best greeting including eye contact, will be “Good Morning, have I told you I loved you today?”. The words “I love You” will never change, and the need for it to be said/heard will never change.
2. When you are scrambling to make ends meet, pay the bills, get your computer to work, looking for a more reliable 3G network, the ones that truely love you, will still want to give you a smile and let you know it’s all going to be ok. (even if your smartphone is not being so smart or your website server may be down you will need a smile and be told IT WILL BE OK) Those Smiles will help you get through a hard day, that will never change.
3. When someone reassures you that the world is not over when technology is “having a moment” (re:Twitter being down-I know it’s tragic) the correct response that should never change would be thank you for taking me away from the virtual world and making me realize what is in front of me that matters. What is around you is just as important, if not more. That will never change.
4. When the kids have to go to school, soccer practice, and or need help with their homework, Facebook may be tempting but those cute faces won’t be so young looking for very long. No Iphone application can change this. No facebook status update will stop this from happening. Kids grow up fast that will never change.
5. Virtual worlds and in-real-life worlds will continue to collide. This includes real life happenings of birth, sickness, overcoming tragedy and even death. These things are part of life’s journey-this will never change.
6. The human touch, although now more then ever is viewed upon as a sexual thing, it is more likely that it will be needed more then ever to reconstitute love beyond written word- Give a hug, kiss, or even a hand shake. this will be needed now more then ever. This is certain- This will never change.
7. Although texting has a comfort zone, actions speak louder the words and voice speaks louder then texting, tweeting, and Facebook statuses. Tell those what you feel with your voice. Sure you may need to take extra effort to pick up the phone to talk not text. Sure it may take extra effort to say it in more the 140 characters but make no mistake-those people that you are with need/want to hear what you have to say. Talking is important, listening is important. These things are certain and will never change.
8. Having your brother home for the holidays sitting next to you at dinner instead of serving our country in War overseas will always be the best thing. (even though Skype is one of the coolest tools out there) having your friends and family near and safe is the best option out there. Next to you is better then far away, This will never change.
9. Fighting, war, disagreements, and drama have always existed. None of this, sadly, will ever go away. Be prepared for it. Life, with these things, as we know it will always make it be interesting. This will never change.
10. People will grow older, babies will have birthdays, couples still have the potential to reach a 50 year wedding anniversary and job promotions will continue. Your child can still learn to ride a 2 wheeler bike, your marriage can survive and with that and all of the things listed above deserve to be celebrated. Enjoy every moment that you have been given, mark the milestones, they will always be there, they will always pass us by too quickly. Enjoy the moments that we have together. These moments are yours, these moments are unique, these moments should be cherished, should be celebrated. That is most definitely certain and that will never change. Moments like these.
May the changes that 2010 brings bring you connection, networking, relationships on a deeper level. May the constants of 2009 be embraced in 2010 as we take a moment to recognize the value of real in life
moments outside the camera lens, the Phone Apps, and real time updating. May we all be a more connected world to those that we love today and those that we will meet, tweet, or text tomorrow.
Happy New Year,
Elizabeth Norton
I am Elizabeth, and this here is my party planning frontier. I am not from the west but wish I was so I sometimes talk with a southern-drawl. (We can all dream right?) I am actually from Cape May, NJ and love to party. You can lean more about me 
Happy New Year Elizabeth!
What a great reminder, Elizabeth! Happy New Year!
Wonderful reminders of what is really important.
Happy New Year!
You are so right on so many levels. It’s easy to see that people lose sight of what’s really important, as they strive for fame, waste so much time, and ignore their loved ones. Thanks for the timely reminder, Beth!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I was just commenting on Scott Monty’s post about how I believe connecting on a more personal level will be bigger in 2010. We’ve learned to connect online, but we’re doing it in a mass way, without much personal connection.
I hope this includes the actual face to face, on the phone types of connections you are predicting!!!
I think facebook-ups/and tweet-ups will happen on a more intense level the more people plug-in.
RELATIONSHIPS are REALLY the REASON that God created us…personal time is wonderful, but any kind of communication that we can share with one another builds the relationship! So proud of who Elizabeth is and all she is becoming!!