My grandma, Bonita Martinez West, was from Puerto Rico. She was 4′ 8″ of sugar and spice and I fondly remember when she would slip into speaking Spanish to yell at me…which I didn't understand. She passed away over 15 years ago and while I can't see her anymore she's not forgotten.
My Grandma Nena, as we used to call her, would always make her version of red beans and rice – which I adored. Everyone in my family learned to make red beans and rice and although we've all added are own touches the core of the recipe is still Grandma Nena's. Every time I make rice and beans I think of Grandma Nena – she will never be forgotten. Recently I made rice and beans for my family and couldn't help but think of how social media is like my grandma's rice and beans.
1. Different Versions On The Original
As I already mentioned, every one in my family makes a slightly different version of rice and beans today. We might add more bacon, or olives, or onions but it's still rice and beans. While the base is always the same each version incorporates our own personality and tastes which in the end, benefit us all.
Social media is very similar. Each person participating in social media has their own take on the use of the tool – whether that tool is Twitter, Facebook, a WordPress Blog, or LinkedIn. While the base (the tool) always remains the same each person incorporates their own individual interests and flavors resulting in a richer experience for us all.
2. Connection
My parents tried very hard for my family to always have dinner together which became more difficult as we became older. One meal that always seemed to bring the family together, however, was rice and beans. While we were drawn to the food we loved the conversation and connection kept us at the dinner table long after the food was gone.
Social media is all about connections. Through the use of social media I've been able to create connections to people that I would never have met otherwise and similar to dinners of rice and beans – the conversation and connections have extended beyond the use of social media. While I've met many people through the use of social media it's the connection that has allowed those friendships to move beyond social media.
3. Sharing
There are so many ways that we share things through rice and beans. We share the versions of our different recipes. We share stories of our childhood and now stories of our own children. We share stories of what's happening in our lives. We share stories of Grandma Nena.
When utilized properly, social media is all about sharing. We share interesting articles through Twitter. We share photos on Facebook. We share videos on YouTube. It's through sharing tthat we experience the best that social media has to offer.
I hope that you've enjoyed reading this post as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I've been able to think about some of my favorite things: rice and beans, social media, my family, friends, and Grandma Nena.
I think I'll go make some rice and beans.
