Today’s reflection is on the internet.

I’m old enough to remember the sound of a 56k modem. It sounded like the dying cries of a strangled robot.

Viewing an image was an ordeal, watching it load line by line. I lived through Napster and LimeWire, where you had an equal chance of finding the song you wanted or picking up a virus. I remember taking three straight days to download the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack.

I downloaded so much music that I’m surprised Metallica didn’t personally show up at my door with violent intent.

The only way to speak to people online was through email or MSN Messenger, and the golden rule was never talk to strangers.

Fast forward to now and I have an online platform I’m proud of, and people I once might have considered strangers are now friends. Many of them I’ve met in person.

The internet can be a source of malice, misogyny and misinformation, but it’s also a place for community, for sharing ideas, and for finding opportunities.

As with most things, you get back what you put in. So I encourage people to put good out there. Share joy, share sadness, share whatever your experience is, but try to be genuine.

Show the good. Show the bad.  But do it with purpose.