The Dutch villager was called Rip van Winkle.
In the story by Washington Irving, Rip goes to sleep for 20 years. On waking up he finds the world changed greatly.
Have you, dear reader, ever taken a break from Facebook for a while?
I did, and today, my feelings are akin to those of Rip.
Today while browsing through the most famous book thumbed by people in the history of mankind, Facebook, I came across a completely different world.
Some friends had produced amazing art, some friends had simply reproduced...former colleagues had moved onto more exciting careers and workplaces...students had gotten married (ignoring all the warning advice)...the advice-givers had congratulated them...
On the whole, Facebook seemed like a jolly good place to hang out. Everybody was good-looking and happy. There was joy and gaiety all around.
Why did you leave us? - asked a few in personal chats.
Well, if you must know, here is my story:
I had a good friend who had a lovely family.
She fell terribly sick one day. Nobody knew what was wrong with her. Finally when the diagnosis came, it said that she drank too much.
I never knew that she drank but her perfume did seem a bit strange sometimes.
When she came out of the hospital, everybody was kind and helpful.
"Please take care of her when I am not there" her mother requested me.
After a few months, I smelled alcohol on her breath again and I confronted her.
"Oh no, I never drink" she vehemently refused.
Then I saw her drinking in a pub every day.
I felt I had to do something about the situation.
So I told her mother about her drinking habits.
Soon after, my friend unfriended me on Facebook.
Perhaps I had trespassed the boundaries of friendship to extend help. Perhaps I was not a 'good-enough' friend.
My friend and I have been out of touch ever since. The last time I heard about her was when an acquaintance informed me that my friend was getting a divorce.
I wish her well, wherever she is.
End of the story.
After this, I decided to quit Facebook.
It wasn't so easy to close my account so I just decided to stay away for a long time. It was quite easy and did provide me with a lot of free time!
Today, while browsing FB after a long time, I saw plenty of friendly faces there - all happy and gay. There were a lot of pictures too of people enjoying their lives, inspiring each other to join in the great party called life!
I changed my mind and decided to take an occasional look on my page. Or else, who knows, I might end up in a strange place like Rip van Winkle!
In the story by Washington Irving, Rip goes to sleep for 20 years. On waking up he finds the world changed greatly.
Have you, dear reader, ever taken a break from Facebook for a while?
I did, and today, my feelings are akin to those of Rip.
Today while browsing through the most famous book thumbed by people in the history of mankind, Facebook, I came across a completely different world.
Some friends had produced amazing art, some friends had simply reproduced...former colleagues had moved onto more exciting careers and workplaces...students had gotten married (ignoring all the warning advice)...the advice-givers had congratulated them...
On the whole, Facebook seemed like a jolly good place to hang out. Everybody was good-looking and happy. There was joy and gaiety all around.
Why did you leave us? - asked a few in personal chats.
Well, if you must know, here is my story:
I had a good friend who had a lovely family.
She fell terribly sick one day. Nobody knew what was wrong with her. Finally when the diagnosis came, it said that she drank too much.
I never knew that she drank but her perfume did seem a bit strange sometimes.
When she came out of the hospital, everybody was kind and helpful.
"Please take care of her when I am not there" her mother requested me.
After a few months, I smelled alcohol on her breath again and I confronted her.
"Oh no, I never drink" she vehemently refused.
Then I saw her drinking in a pub every day.
I felt I had to do something about the situation.
So I told her mother about her drinking habits.
Soon after, my friend unfriended me on Facebook.
Perhaps I had trespassed the boundaries of friendship to extend help. Perhaps I was not a 'good-enough' friend.
My friend and I have been out of touch ever since. The last time I heard about her was when an acquaintance informed me that my friend was getting a divorce.
I wish her well, wherever she is.
End of the story.
After this, I decided to quit Facebook.
It wasn't so easy to close my account so I just decided to stay away for a long time. It was quite easy and did provide me with a lot of free time!
Today, while browsing FB after a long time, I saw plenty of friendly faces there - all happy and gay. There were a lot of pictures too of people enjoying their lives, inspiring each other to join in the great party called life!
I changed my mind and decided to take an occasional look on my page. Or else, who knows, I might end up in a strange place like Rip van Winkle!
(Picture courtesy: Google images)
