The Lure of Live Journal

Live Journal is a social network that has been around for a while. This year, the website is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary. It is one of the most popular blogging sites and a wonderful way to meet people who have interests similar to your own.

I've often wondered what the lure of Life Journal was. I was introduced to it by a friend. I had no idea what it was about. I had no idea how to navigate. But, I learned. And I became hooked. It is the one place I am truly myself. It is the place where I can talk about my religious beliefs and feel comfortable that even if my friends don't agree, they are at least tolerant. Mostly because the people on my friends list are chosen by me. But, back to the lure part of it.

I find that reading about other people's lives helps me deal with my own. Hearing other people's joys and heartaches that come from living life helps me to realize the bad things in my life aren't so bad. And the reason they aren't so bad is that I am not the only one going through these kinds of situations. I guess commiseration makes me feel better. But, so does hearing about the great things that are happening in their lives.

I love reading about the silly things their kids say. I love hearing about the things their pets do. I love hearing about how their significant others make them want to strangle them. I love hearing how their significant others do things that makes their heart melt. I love hearing that after a spell of being alone, they have found someone that makes your heart race just thinking about them.

I feel connected to people from all over the world in a way that just isn't possible anywhere else, in my opinion. Since coming to Live Journal, I have tried other sites. None of them feed my addiction the way Live Journal does. Although, I do love FaceBook. But, it is different. There are no tear jerking, laugh until a beverage comes out your nose, this is my life kind of posts. There are small snippets into people's day. But, there is no depth to FaceBook. It is fun in it's own way, but it is no Live Journal, by any means.

So, I hope that each of my friends on Live Journal know that I read most of the posts. Not all. Sorry. But, I read their posts and I care about them. And, I thank them for letting me see pieces of their lives. They have no idea how it helps me.