« Looking back at 9/11 | Main | A sign on the beach »
September 12, 2008
My Second Social Media Birthday
Yes, today is my birthday. And today I am experiencing my second "Social Media Birthday."
Growing up, I was someone who celebrated birthdays. I believed that birthdays mattered. (I still do.) And whenever I knew it was someone’s birthday I would wish that person a “Happy Birthday.” As I got older I ran into people who didn’t celebrate birthdays and after a while I just got used to that. But in my mind, birthdays were always a special day and a chance to catch up with some of the people in my life whose presence I appreciated but for some reason I didn’t spend that much time talking to them during the course of the year. Birthdays were never really about the presents. It was about sharing presence. :)
With the advent of Social Media, the way I experience my birthday has changed.
Thanks to Facebook and twitter, birthdays matter again!
One of my morning rituals has been to log into Facebook and check whose birthday it is. When possible, I send friends a personal birthday greeting. I was better doing this before I reached the 5,000 friend limit on Facebook, but I try to do this as often as I can. (And I will try to do this more often after today.)
When I woke up this morning and logged into Facebook, I was taken back by the number of personal messages I had received and the number of people who commented on one of my recent status updates. I am still overwhelmed from receiving so many warm greetings from friends from around the world. I don’t have the words to reflect the true feeling and emotions that are touched by this. These past few days I’ve been feeling some emotional highs and lows and I’m now feeling the golden glow from my friends around the world. I am humbled by this. I thank my friends for reaching out and making today a special day for me.
My friend Chris Brogan’s Happy Birthday blog post to me and subsequent twitter about it just added to the wave of people of people who sent birthday greetings to me. Chris is the same person who was responsible (together with Chris Penn) for putting together an amazing birthday video for me back in 2006. It was that video that give me a foreshadowing about how social media can have a positive effect on our lives.
The evolving world of Social Media continues to provide opportunity for people to connect and communicate in ways which just never happened before.
Special thanks to everyone who reached out to me and sent their birthday greetings.
I hope my friends have also have a chance to experience the positive effects of Social Media and community.
While I know I'm getting older, I still feel the same inside and I don't think that I ever really want to grow up. As we get older we have more responsibilities but we have also have a wider and deeper perspective about life. So while I may be a year older and maybe a little wiser, I hope to continue to be the person I am today and whenever possible, continue to share some fun along the way.
Thanks for making today a special day. :)
Tags: Facebook, twitter, Christopher S. Penn, Chris Brogan, Social Media Birthday, Jeff Pulver
Please consider leaving a comment. Share a thought. Share your own social media birthday experience.
Share this post:
Digg |
del.icio.us |
Reddit |
Newsvine |
Google Bookmark |
Yahoo MyWeb |
StumbleUpon
Posted by jeff on September 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Permalink
Additional resources: Watch PrimeTime TV Shows | Watch the Jeff Pulver Show | Jeff's Qik Videos
Comments
http://www.direct-scaffold.com scaffolding
http://www.plastics-china.com/plastic_injection_molding.htm plastic injection molding
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Cap_Lid.htm plastic cap
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Jars.htm plastic jar
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Bucket_Pail.htm plastic bucket
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Auto_parts.htm plastic auto parts
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Others.htm plastic products
http://www.plastics-china.com/Plastic-blow-molding.htm plastic blow molding
http://www.plastics-china.com/products/Blow_bottle.htm plastic bottle
http://www.plastics-china.com/Contact_us.htm Contact Glory plastics
http://www.jsymq.com
http://www.zwf345.cn
http://www.plastics-china.com injection molding
http://www.printings-china.com China printing
http://www.pet0513.com
Posted by: injection molding at June 18, 2009 09:26 AM
Very gold profile
Posted by: radyo at October 8, 2008 09:00 AM
Howdy Jeff ...
This is my first visit to your blog via Mr. Blogger Extraordinaire, Chris Brogan.
Your attitude about birthdays is refreshing! From someone who hasn't celebrated a birthday in a coon's age ...
Thanks!
~Melanie
Posted by: Melanie Kissell at September 15, 2008 12:20 AM
Happy Birthday Jeff
Posted by: Marcus at September 14, 2008 06:18 AM
Happy Birthday (belated), with very many more to come!
Posted by: Venki Iyer at September 13, 2008 12:43 PM
Happy Birthday! May you have a wonderful year --- now and always!
Posted by: Mimi at September 13, 2008 10:29 AM
A day late I know, but Happy Birthday nonetheless. Great post.
Posted by: Sherrilynne Starkie at September 13, 2008 05:24 AM
From a fellow social media enthusiastic who loves breakfasts, happy birthday. Hope to see you soon, Jeff.
Posted by: Bryan Person, LiveWorld at September 12, 2008 07:55 PM
Happy Birthday, Jeff! Interesting I got pointed to you by two people today. Once via Chris Brogan's blog, and the second time, within about 5 minutes, during a conversation with Alan Weinkrantz. Your name got onto my short list to contact, so I'm taking this opportunity. I've read your work off and on for the past year or so, and we have some common visions. If you'd be so kind, I would like the chance to share a project - and an invitation - with you. Drop me an email if you're game. And have an extra piece of cake! Cheers - Suzanna Stinnett, suzanna@greatadaptations.org
Posted by: Suzanna at September 12, 2008 06:08 PM
Happy Birthday Jeff.
Posted by: Douglas Arrison at September 12, 2008 02:30 PM
I'm with you, I believe birthdays matter- it is the one day in the year that is yours to celebrate and an excuse to do what makes you happy! I love birthdays and always try to make my friends and family's special. I'm the only one in my family who sends everyone a b-day card. So to you- happy birthday and do something fun and hope it's a great one!
Posted by: Hilarye at September 12, 2008 01:08 PM
PS: I digged the post too.
Posted by: LeoC at September 12, 2008 11:45 AM
I guess dropping a comment on your blog or facebook profile is the new way of saying happy birthday instead of B - card. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: LeoC at September 12, 2008 11:44 AM
Wonderful post! And again have a fantastic B-day, I am really so new to the whole Social Media game and you along with others have made me feel really welcome and make me feel like my thoughts do count!! Thanks for being YOU!!
Posted by: pcornqueen at September 12, 2008 11:02 AM
Sincere Social Media Birthday. Congratulations! and enjoy rest of the day :)
Posted by: Florian Seroussi at September 12, 2008 11:02 AM
Happy birthday Jeff! No wonder why I admire you so much... you're not only inspirational and awesome, but you're also a fellow Virgo! My birthday is on September 19th, as a matter of fact.
I've only been in social media for the past year or so, but it's been a pleasure and look forward to seeing you on your next trip to Vancouver!
Posted by: Raul at September 12, 2008 10:58 AM
If it's a birthday party, it needs to include Deborah Henson-Conant's update of the traditional B'day song:
"Congratulations, you made it this far
Congratulations, for everything you are
You may think you're nowhere, doing nothing
But to us you are a shining star,
Congratulations you made it this far"
Posted by: Adam Zand at September 12, 2008 10:55 AM
Happy Birthday, Jeff! You were getting a tidal wave of good wishes on Twitter so it is nice to start the blog congratulations! Have a great day!
Posted by: Liz at September 12, 2008 10:46 AM