How Social Networking Affected My Vision

I just met a very interesting sister from South Africa, and I was having a conversation with my boy Scott about the email exchanges I’ve had with her as well as others online. The world is not as big as it once seemed to me.

However silly it may seem, I still find myself shaking my head at some of the contacts I’ve made, and continue to make, online. Nearly three years ago I was arguing with someone about the silliness of being on MySpace. “That social network was for kids and people looking for a quick hook up,” I said. Neither of those was real for me so, at best, it would be a waste of my time unless I just wanted to see half-dressed women and, if that were the case, there are better choices for that elsewhere online.

Anyway, being told it was something that would help me build my business; I decided to take a look. Within my first hour on MySpace doing basic searches of people, besides finding a few people from around my way, which was cool, I had my first “light on” experience.

I remember the days of submitting demo tapes (yes, I said tapes and not CDs) to various A&R departments, which rarely, if ever, get to the intended person. Suddenly, I could get at whoever I wanted to. REALLY?!?! For the most part, yes, but the point was made; this social network had thousands of potential folks I could let know about my work, my passion, my business, etc. Of course, I had to wade through the false fronts, dead ends and empty chit chat, but I could see the potential.

Six months or so in, I meet a writer / poet online. Many interesting exchanges and almost two years later, she flies in from Canada, we draft her album and she goes home while I complete the work. Something amazing has happened; that experience has broadened my horizons, deepened my convictions and showed me some limits on my vision.

I’ve been to Europe and produced music there, but down deep inside, I’ve never thought to market my skills to someone overseas with the intention of having them fly to this country to The Garden to do the work. I can fly to Chicago, (basically next door) LA, (not much farther) or overseas because I’ve done it all before. Now I can say I’ve done this before; satisfied a client from out of the country who came to me for my gift.

Sure, some can say, “Oh, it’s just Canada,” but I say God will show many people my gift and they will come from many places to get a taste; Brazil, South Africa, Asia, the rest of the world “preach!” God showed me through MySpace and a faithful artist yet again to take the limits off my perceptions of what’s possible.

I ask for what I want, but God determines how it shows up. At some point, I will have to thank those folks who repeatedly prompted me to join MySpace. God showed me something because I listened and looked and did the work and . . .

Now I’m present on three social networking websites, have a blog, one website and another nearly complete. OK God, I’m listening.

Just my thoughts.

-REL