TED Talk affects birthday

Probably my favorite part of Facebook besides pictures is my birthday!  I love getting happy birthday wishes from people I haven't talked to in years... and people I talk to every day.  It's awesome!  However, I had never really considered writing about it or really addressing it in any real sense.

Then, yesterday I listened to a TED talk on vulnerability that argues that connection is necessary.  I realized that the connection is what I love about the Facebook Birthday shout out-- getting noticed by these people with whom I have tenuous to tight connections.  The speaker argues that the one key thing she detected was a sense of worthiness to be loved that differentiated people.  It had profound Christian implications.

I'm realizing that ALL friendships don't need to be profound.  It's okay to have surface friendships; in fact, it's important to have low-connectivity friendships for things like finding a job and a mate.  Politeness matters.  I'm realizing this in my job quest.  It takes me back to studying atoms in chemistry class in high school.  The closer bonds are stronger, but atoms need their outer layers to be balanced-- otherwise they become ions.   I know I now have some customers that I like to see.  I don't even know some of their names, but I always have a enjoyable conversation with them.

My job with the public has been teaching me this lesson too.  Politeness and gentleness are necessary.  Gratitude and generosity make life so much more enjoyable whichever side you're on of it.

So, I commented on all my birthday wishes with at least a thanks!, which is completely dorky, but it made me feel connected to all my birthday wishers.  I like to get some form of acknowledgement when I do something, and I'm guessing I'm not alone.

However much I enjoyed getting FB wishes, I far preferred Lexie and Catie's homemade sticker cards.  Utterly charming.  I have no idea why I adore little kid art because I hate when children choir sings.  Don't get me wrong, I think it's amusing to have little kids pick their noses and stare into space in front of a large space, but I don't get anything out of it higher than a chuckle.  Maybe it's because I love these little kids who scribbled for me and were generous with their stickers.  I'm worthy of their stickers and merry making, and they are worthy of my adoration.