Online Community #GPlus5
#GPlus5
HAPPY 5th Birthday Google Plus
I searched for past posts I’d made celebrating this social media’s milestones…and since I’ve chosen to reset my account and take a couple of breaks, I’m missing some, but that’s the way it goes. We collect, we purge, we change our minds, we find ourself in places we hadn’t intended, and with some time and some determination, sometimes, we’re lucky to get ourselves back on track. We’re able to see old things from new perspectives…and that’s what my Plus Journey has been all about.
Five years of this space… I can only say, it’s been a wild ride. But I make no excuses and offer no further explanations for the twists and turns that being a member of a community as promising, as fun, as diverse and as topsy/turvy as Google Plus has been. I’ll only say, I’m glad I was here. I’ve learned a few things about myself, and I’ve found some pretty awesome people who I am glad to call my friends, and others who have taught me invaluable lessons about interacting online, and otherwise.
I came here in the early days of Beta, thanks to a nudge from my brother, Robert Anderson. His initial guidance, and his help in the early days, coaxing me out of my shyness (yep, I’m shy, who knew?) was instrumental in my finding my own way. Thanks to Google Plus, he saw a post of mine once when I was shooting #carshots from the passenger seat rolling through Kentucky…and lo and behold I learned via a text he then sent that he was just a few miles up the road. I hadn’t seen him in 3 years, and so, an impromptu reunion occurred, and for that, I’m forever grateful for the Power of Social Media.
The amount of support we both received when we lost our Daddy back in August of 2013 was remarkable and caused me pause to consider what special people there are, who come to offer their love and condolence when they see others hurting. Thanks to G+ I was able to hangout with my Daddy, via Hangouts, when he was 1000 miles away. To be able to see his sweet smile and hear his voice, well, There is no price tag to put on that gift. Invaluable, precious moments, thanks to this space.
Most recently I’ve been fortunate to be accepted into two separate photography mentorships, Camera Basics: Beyond Automatic, and now Blurs and Unsharp Photography offered through the outstanding program G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers . This has quite literally changed me for the better, not only with my hobby of snapping photos, but in my new appreciation for the good things that social media has to offer. I’ve indeed found my Happy Place among these talented and sharing people.
I won’t even mention those of you who’ve become near and dear to me online, and IRL, only to say Thank You for sticking by me…you know who you are.
The collage here is a photo I shot back in 2014, and a Twirl edit of that same photo I did just this week…Funny how the same things can look so very different, and amazing how once we’re able to change our perspective and are ready to see the goodness, it simply appears in front of our eyes. 🙂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PLUS! I’m happy I came back.
Great post, BobbieZen 🙂
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🙂 I know it’s lengthy, so thanks for taking the time to read! cougarox
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Such great words here on your post BobbieZen.
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In the image on the right, I abstractly see a beautiful flower 🙂
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From the heart, Christina Lihani , thanks for all your support!
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And some saw stained glass windows and I saw my dad’s golf shorts, David Calderon ! 🙂
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I’m happy you came back, too! ❤
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❤ thanks so much Jake Kern …but we always have our emergency back up social media system in place!
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Beautiful post and beautiful thoughts. I remember reading a post of yours early on that encouraged us to be kind. I circled you immediately. This world needs more of you and I am so grateful for how you give. xo
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Yes we do, BobbieZen! ☺️
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Very happy to get to know you here onG+.
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So glad we have had time together IRL Cilla C ! You’re my favorite kind of people… Xo
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Likewise Darla Hueske ! 🙂
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Glad you stuck it out, lady! Mwah!
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Miss you Caribbean Queen, Angie Person ! Still trying to figure out a way to get there sometime! Xo
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I, too, am glad you came back.
❤
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I’m happy you are here, too, Bobbie
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Your refusal to flakebook is another reason why I couldn’t stay gone J. Hancock !
Thanks 4 that. ❤
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🙂 Thanks Darcee McCutcheon ! I have learned so much from you.
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LoL! my refusal to flakebook has just been validated to the nth degree! LoL!
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Ha!
Go figure!!! Xoxo J. Hancock
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XOXO BobbieZen!
HIRL with you is on my bucket list, too. LoL!
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🙂 most definitely! J. Hancock
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Awesome post BobbieZen and love the new version of the water. 💞💞💞
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🙂 thanks so much Jennifer Walton …Who knew water could take on that shape?!
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Jeeeze BobbieZen has it really been 5 years?
Yes, I guess it has been. We had just lost a close friend to lukemia, & G+ was in beta. I was only lurking in the shadows & not posting much.
But I also have learned much & made some good friends here and I hope you are one of them! 😘
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Most definitely, J Thomas Horton ! You have been a tried and true…& I thank you!
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So sweet BobbieZen ! I wouldn’t trade your friendship for the world!
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❤ Ditto, Thank you for always being You Di Cleverly …next time I'll be sure to make that HIRL happen!
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Always good to see you here BobbieZen 🙂
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Thank you Leo Deegan 🙂
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indeed the best my dearest… awesome Google plus 5th birthday
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And to you, Guru Dutt !
I’m still thinking of that lovely image you posted yesterday of the Indian Saint with the orange sash…Superb!
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i am so glad that you like my saint work my dearest frnd… so tons of thanks… love and blessings…
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Happy anniversary, BobbieZen 🙂
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Good Morning, and Thank You! Denis Labelle Same to you. 🙂
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