Social Media Week.   Celebrating being social?  But I guess it’s like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day…all those holidays created to remind us of things we need to appreciate every day, but take for granted.  And today, social media is something that users take for granted.

Remember when Twitter was down?  When it came back up, all the tweets were about what we did when it was down!  And now that it is more consistent, we go back to taking it for granted.  We have the ability to tweet, update our status on Facebook and continue to communicate through our blogs.  So why do we need a “Social Media Week”?  I think we need it to stop and think.  How much do you appreciate Social Media?  Are you using it to build your community?  How many relationships have you built from  a tweet?  Take a look around and think about the impact Social Media has had on your life.  And then  think about how Social Media impacts your “off-line” relaationships.

While I treasure the friends and relationships I have with people from high school, college and pre-Social Media, I am amazed at the community I have built with the help of Social Media.  Are you using LinkedIn? Twitter? Facebook? Foursquare?  With the help of Social Media, I have reconnected with old friends, connected with new friends, and through these connections, built even more relationships.  And through tweetups and other events, I am able to personalize Social Media.

For those non-believers, Social Media IS social!  It helps to increase your community and your world.  So what are your options?  You can be an observer of Social Media by joining the sites and just reading what everybody else says.  You can participate by updating your status and sharing your news.  And then you can be a motivator by using your community to pay it forward and help others. 

So if you aren’t involved, you should be.  Celebrate Social Media week by becoming more social!