It is easy to forget the person on the other side of the internet is human.
It is easy to pretend you are tweeting with an imaginary person you've never met - because it is very likely you never have met. When you add a comment to a blog post, it is easy to write emotionless. When you record a video, it is easy to avoid looking at the lens.
It is also easy to apologize to yourself.
There are two easy ways to show your humanity and they involve using other forms of media to socialize.
1. Pick up the telephone.
Reach out and call someone.
You start the conversation by saying hi. The rest is easy. Dialogue will flow if you are yourself; especially if you two shared a private moment prior to the call. Maybe you responded to a tweeted joke or you wrote something memorable on a bulletin board.
Follow Irene Koehler and Sid Burgess who understand the value of making a phone call completely out of the blue.
2. Send a letter.
Everyone can be reached by postal delivery, so why do you shy from sending letters? Why shy from asking to receive them?
When Dan Slee asked for addresses to send vacation postcards, I got one.
When I solicited my tweeps to write me via paper, Bryant Adams replied.
It is easy to know how to contact someone.
It is easier to actually do it.
Thank you for reading! If you are inspired, please add a comment with your thoughts.