Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my mentors on Squidoo and fellow writer on this blog, Bev Owens, known as bevspaper. My family was going out to dinner with some neighbors and they were joking about how they would explain that Mom was not there because she was meeting her “online friend.” Now that the web has evolved, that term “online friend” has taken on a whole new meaning. The Internet allows us to connect with people all over the world about issues or common interests. In the course of conversations or reading their writings, we actually get to know people pretty well. We become friends in spirit.
Another of my online friends is Michelle, known as a_willow. Michelle is from Croatia and it is unlikely (but not impossible) that we will ever be able to meet face to face. When I told her that I was meeting with Bev, she said to give her a big hug. Michelle has written an inspirational article on friendship which asks the question, “Is it possible to have a friend whom you've never met in person?" Her answer is an unequivocal YES and she tells why on her page.
A friend is someone who is there for you in time rather than space. Some qualities that Michelle values in a friend are generosity (of time and attention), trustworthiness, and straightforwardness. Her friends are also open-minded, enthusiastic, courageous, and creative. Michelle is persistent when working towards a goal and finds that she looks for friends with the same quality. With a friend you can be spontaneous and show your deepest self. Michelle has many friends online that have these qualities. This article is interspersed with quotes that will make you appreciate your friends even more and want to be a better one.
Once you have an online friend, it is natural that you would want to meet. But if that is not possible, you can be friends in spirit. Do you agree or not?
Visit: Long Distance Friends
I am honored to be writing Squidoo Lens Reviews on Fridays, focusing on lenses that are beautifully designed as well as informative. My passions revolve around photography and the environment, books and wine, and numerous other things.
By the way, Bev and I had a great time and plan to meet again. She is just as I imagined her to be – smart, funny, caring, and a great Squidoo friend.
I absolutely agree that you can be friends in spirit. I have many online friends. Some I've never met other than through writing; others I've "met" via video (e.g. Skype). However, I have excellent relationships with them all and consider them friends.
Great review and great lens!
Loved Michelle's piece on friendship! The quotes she chose were wonderful. I particularly liked the one about Life giving you 100 reasons to cry so show life 1,000 reasons to smile.
It was such a pleasure to meet Kim yesterday! It was so comfortable….sitting there talking as if we have known each other for a lifetime. She is everything I had envisioned her to be – kind, gentle, compassionate. I felt like I was looking into the eyes of a soul I've known for a very long time.
BevsPaper´s last blog ..Toucan Native Totem
Thanks, Bev. Glad you were able to get on the computer this morning – lol.
And don't you know…just like a little kid…I got caught! Boss walked in on me while I was here.
Totally agree. I have many online "friends in spirit" and I am most appreciative of them. They help enrich my life. I hope I enrich theirs. When I first read Michelle's article on long-distance friends, it made me like her even more. She hits the nail on the head, or the head on the nail, with that one. :)
Just read your comments, Kim and Bev; glad y'all got to meet each other and have a great time together.
Oh, I'm so envy :) I have said this to both Kim and Kathy when they said they are going to meetups! I have no Squids around me to meet! :( And I would love to meet so many!
I'm grateful to my online friends, time we spent chatting has never been a waste of time but an opportunity to get to meet them better. They have come to my rescue more than once and they backed me up so many times I will never be able to repay their goodness and loyality.
I was looking forward to the meetup planned with Heather Katsoulis (sp?) but unfortunately her mother became ill and in hospital the day of the event, so we were unable to get together. Hopefully, we can succeed next time.
So glad to hear about Kim and Bev's happy meetup and look forward to reading sweet Michelle's piece.