Use Your Retweet Mojo to Change the World

You want to change the world? Expand the way you share.
On Twitter I’ve met a motley crew of people who have tons to share, from the personal, to the professional. From the uproariously funny, to the “take note” serious. My favorite batch of people on social networking sites (and in the 3D realm) are the ones who take time to pass on more than the latest breaking news. The ones offering up fresh discoveries, what they laughed at, or whatever else has served to brighten their day. For one, you never know how far this tiny gesture of sharing might travel, and what actions it may set in motion. On Twitter this ’sharing’ is most easily done by a retweet. Every “community,” worth its weight, is built on give and take. Community and change are both made by individuals interacting through communication with the world around them. Some have forgotten this fact.
A vast number of folks don’t share things with their friends and followers. Instead they @ a reply with, “That’s a great link,” or simply an “LOL” –thus the buck stops there. Stops, with them. Even though they felt it was something of value, they don’t spread the wealth. It’d take one second to do so. They might even find their followers appreciate them making an introduction to a new person, a certain subject, or even re-gifting a bit of levity which can help ease a dull day.

.
The immense disconnect of sharing, and loss of selfless-caring was mostly birthed, in general, by cyberspace. This new breed of an electronic lone wolf has helped create the worst ‘Me Me Me’ type. This saddens the remaining folks who remember to help one another, the ‘Me You Us’ type.
.
.
A personal story that illustrates the point: A friend told me she turned down a job. Yet after doing so she neglected to relay this job opening to our mutual friend who’s in the same field, was currently unemployed and struggling. I didn’t forget, how the heck did she? I instantly got on the phone and gave the information. An IRL retweet. The best way to help someone is by helping them to help themselves. I did not get our friend the job, just relayed the information. She went in, interviewed, they loved her, hired her based on her own merits. I barely lifted a finger, yet changed a person’s life.
.
One of my favorite connectors is Danny Brown. He’s respected for his tireless efforts to rally the people and build community. His all inclusive, open arms to the masses is admirable and worthy of emulation. I’ve learned a lot from him via the way he carries himself on Twitter, and how he’s built up his blog by posting good content and allowing all who visit to become a participant if they so choose. I’m not just saying this because he’s my good friend, I say it because these are the very reasons he became a good friend.
.
In a recent interview I was asked who are my gurus. My reply then, and now, is simple. My gurus are the individuals I bump into online and in person. The regular people who have taught me a vast amount, important things I carry with me daily. I share the revelations as often as I can. Just as eagerly as I share new voices via links to someone’s blog post, a person’s humorous words and interesting takes on a subject coming from an out-of-the-box mind. As you know, the RT can function as a quote. But don’t you think the dead famous people have been quoted plenty? Why not honor the living who also “think different” and in so doing help you to do the same?
.
Far too many are comfortable taking and not giving, satiated in living an isolated, egomaniacal lifestyle. Truth is, yes yes, we have to give to ourselves in order to achieve our goals, but there is always time to help another. Always. And it mustn’t be a big huge heap of help, it’s whatever you can muster at that moment.

You want to change the world?
Then expand the way you share.
Over time, baby steps lead to great strides.
.
[ ->Please add your thoughts in the comment section below!
------------------------
[Subscribe to ctkingston.com by email subscription or RSS feed -> AND the new BuzzVoice audio feed is available LISTEN To Ct Kingston posts. Subscribe!]

Tagged as: change, Inform, Retweet, Share, thoughtfulness