I thoroughly enjoy Twitter. I’ve been on Twitter for over two years and it has benefitted my life. For me Twitter isn’t so much about informing the virtual world that I’m standing in line at Starbucks (though I regularly do that). I find that Twitter’s greatest value is garnering information and insight from those I follow. Twitter has tremendous value for disseminating information and that information should educate, entertain or inspire. Sometimes the information that comes through the Twitterverse inspires in the wrong direction, though, stirring up envy deep within my heart and soul.
Twitter makes me envious when a number of those I follow are at the same place that I want to be. This week, for example, a number of those I follow are at the Catalyst Conference in Dallas. Catalyst is a leadership conference for young leaders and I’ve had multiple opportunities to attend in the past. I’ve never been to Catalyst Dallas, though, and Twitter is constantly reminding me that I’m missing out.
I’m not experiencing the worship.
I’m not listening to the speakers.
I’m not twittering every nugget of wisdom that comes from the main stage.
Basically Twitter has become a giant reminder that they are there and I am not.
I should be a better person and not succumb to my Twitter envy but I can’t help it, or I don’t want to help it. It’s nice for others to experience the Catalyst Conference but I wish I was experiencing it with them. Twitter allows me to experience the conference vicariously but envy quickly sours that experience.
I suppose when my Twitter friends are experiencing something I would like to do, I can hold onto a little envy but still wish them well. When my Twitter friends are experiencing something I wouldn’t like to do, though, I can be thankful that it’s them instead of me.
People will always be twittering about what they’re doing and I have to take those tweets in stride. When someone is twittering about a conference I wish I could attend, I should be thankful that they can share thoughts to which I otherwise wouldn’t have access. But when someone is twittering about falling asleep in class or sitting in traffic, I can be thankful that I’m done with school and have a 10-minute commute to work.
Envy is an ugly thing especially when it is inspired by 140 characters or less.
What stirs up your Twitter envy?
Good food tweets make me jealous… Especially when its sushi
Especially when there are pictures.