With the invention of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and so much other social media, we’ve opened our lives to the voyeurs of our past. One would think that with so much of our lives now an open book, people would know more about one another. Yet, I find it fascinating that now I’m connected on such networks with friends and acquaintances from grade school through college and throughout my career, people still put me conveniently in the box in which they put me when we first met. It’s amusing when someone asks me, “So, are you still doing that thing that you used to do 20 years ago but since I only gloss over my social networks and I’m not really paying attention to you, I’ll take a chance that you remember doing that thing that you did and we can connect about that.”
I fully understand. I’m not most people’s preoccupation (I be well nigh surprised if I were!). At the same time, what is the point of posting anything about ourselves if it simply goes into a cyber echo chamber? Do we blog and tweet as part of a massive public diary as a matter of public record to prove that we exist? I’d like to think that there are those in my life who are genuinely curious about what goes on with me and my family. I do enjoy reading the postings, rants, celebrations, and other fun materials (primarily photos) my friends post on their walls. It shows me how people grow and evolve and yet somehow stay familiar.
One thing difficult for me to dismiss is when people ask me about my “previous life” as a Cantor. Including seminary, it was 24 years of my life, so it’s understandable that so many remember me like that. I left the pulpit two years ago, and I get asked often if I miss it. I do at times, especially the singing aspect. But it’s been such a relief and pleasure to now be living in Peekskill with Monica and Jacob and being only 10 minutes away from Jacob instead of an hour!
I was fortunate to have been interviewed by 914INC Magazine last year about the switch. It’s a great read and I don’t have to tell the story in my own words!
And just in case you’re morbidly curious (or don’t have the time to FaceStalk me–is that a thing?), here’s what I’m presently up to:
I’m really having a great time barbershopping with the Westchester Chordsmen and especially my quartet, 29 Seconds. They’re a great bunch of guys and we have a lot of fun making great music together. If you live in or near Westchester, New York, and love to sing a cappella, let me know! I’m also enjoying growing my internet marketing business, Make Tech Better. I’m very involved with my BNI chapter (Genesis) and am doing a lot of network marketing through that. On weekends, Monica, Jacob and I are either traveling, going to the movies, or hunkering down for the winter (man, is it cold!). Not a whole heck of a lot else.
Some of this might seem petty and small, considering all the stuff going on in the world right now, especially in Europe and Africa. Then again, each human being has a road to travel, a story to tell, and its relevant and important to that human. We can all be mindful of the world and still enjoy the life we have as individuals.
I’m looking forward to see what comes next.
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