A New “Kind” of Birthday Gift

A birthday , as the term implies, is the anniversary of the particular day on which a person entered the human network.

Traditionally our birthdays are celebrated by family and “friends”. Now the virtual world exposes your “birth date” in all the profiles you keep in all the networks you use. Subsequently your birth date becomes a virtual data point of your presence and time in the human network.

Yesterday was my 51st birthday. I awoke to my six year old son and wife bringing me birthday cards and gifts. My wife’s card had a very touching message which expressed her appreciation and respect for me….made me melt. My son had a funny card that he wanted me to enjoy and laugh together. My oldest daughter sent me an email wanting some time with me and my youngest daughter called me at 8:00 and sang me “Happy Birthday” on the phone. My sisters and brother sent me a message and all was greatly appreciated.

What Does Your Birthday Represent?

For me birthday’s are no big deal but I do appreciate my families time and attention to remember me. When you think about our birthday it is a memorial of our entrance into the human network.  Many of use take a moment to consider what we’ve contributed so far and what we can contribute in the future.

As we grow older we gain understanding  and most importantly relationships.  With the understanding we’re supposed to gain wisdom which should be used to deepen our understanding.  Sharing our own understandings of things (those that we’ve gained over time) is what we share with people. When people appreciate what we share it is recognition that our efforts to contribute is bearing fruit for others. When people take the time to say Thank you or compliment you on what you’ve shared it a rewarding human exchange of recognition and appreciation.

Yesterday, besides hearing from my family and friends, I heard from hundreds of “friends” in the virtual space.  The streams of messages on email,  skype, Twitter, Friendfeed, Facebook to name a few came in by the hundreds.  Many wished me a Happy Birthday and said “Thank you for sharing my perspectives”.  For people to take the time to send such notes is  kindest and the most respectful gift one human can give to another.  This is especially true when  you’ve never physically met these people.  People taking the time and  effort to recognize you and thank you for any contribution you make to the human network is a value that contributes to one’s value.

The Virtual Human Touch: A Gift That Keeps On Giving

When you share perspectives you really never know the extend of impact it has on readers. However when you simply share and others find value in your sharing the “currency” of recognition and thank you is a currency that brings more value to you than money or gold.

Given the reach and richness of the virtual world and the connectivity of the human soul one must wonder who can you reach today and give the gift of giving. The value of ones content reflects the value of their heart and mind. A “Thank you“, not an automated Twitter Thank You, represents the essence of human kindest and appreciation for the work of others.  Now “others” just became more than you can imagine or have ever experienced. You can give “others” your life and your rewards will be greater than money.

The experience of kindness from hundreds of readers taught me a lesson. Recognize, appreciate and say thank you to others and you can increase their value exponentially. I have a lot to say Thank you to and it may take me a lifetime.

We’ve all been empowered to use technology to touch more people.  Human touch is more about giving that it is about taking. Who have you touched lately? What have you given? Hard questions and lessons for those trying to get and not give to the human network.

What say you? I say Thank you for giving!

About Jay: Jay Deragon’s professional career includes providing strategic management consulting services to Fortune 500 companies as well as local small businesses. He has consulted with numerous industries spanning over 25 years of professional experience globally. His current professional endeavors are all centric to the disruptive nature of the social web. He writes at Relationship Economy and provides social media strategic services to businesses large and small. Jay Deragon is an avid student of the emerging landscape of all things social and the subsequent impact on business dynamics. Since 2004 Mr. Deragon has been actively studying, sharing and learning how business as unusual is changing business methods, models and relationships. Life is a journey and the experiences along the way provides learning that furthers the experiences if we know how and what to learn. for more info go here http://www.relationship-economy.com/?page_id=2

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