Hey Mike, It’s All Good.

Two words. Social and Media. Separately, they seem like two separate entities, a Venn diagram that have some correlating overlaps but nothing beyond that. Together however, these two words will combine to create the future, rewriting our present — for better and for worse.
You’re young, it’s 2003, the world is your oyster. You have the best Beyblade — a custom metal Draciel with the matching battle stadium, and you love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Michelangelo is your favourite, because well nunchucks are cool, he loves pizza as much as you do, and he has “Michael” as part of his name.
You love to socialize, and when you’re in class you talk… a lot, mostly out of turn. You love sports, they help you express yourself when words simply won’t suffice. You love to listen to the crowd, watch epic instant classic matches, and the unscripted storytelling is enamouring. The documentaries, and the stories of the lives your idols lived fires you up as you beg for the newest jersey with your favourite player’s name across the back. Life is simple, at least it seems that way now that I look back at you and that goofy, devious smile of yours.
The thing is Michael, your life — moreover the world — is about to change drastically, forever. Why you ask? Because 3Web dial-up internet has been replaced by high speed internet. Gone are the days of asking mom to hop off the phone so you can peruse the internet. But so too are the days of bikes on front lawns and street hockey. Life is entirely different, and we can attribute that large in part to social media.
Social media will be equal parts aggravating, frustrating and depressing as it will be an exciting and illuminating frontier teeming with opportunity to connect, collaborate and share things with people the world round.

Most importantly though Michael, when your parents divorce, trust me it will be for the better in the long run and you can Thank Me Later. (Just wait about 7 years and you will see exactly why 26 year old you is shaking his head at the puzzled look on your face.) It will seem to you as though it was your fault, but it most certainly wasn’t. You’re going to drink to try to numb the pain, and as I write this with tears in my eyes, you’ll realize Nothing Was The Same (okay now I’m just teasing the shit out of you Mike).
To be blunt, you’re going to drink yourself into a winding spiral, culminating with going viral on the website World Star Hip Hop and trust me, it’s not going to be because of a fire mixtape. You’re going to expose yourself to your self-loathing qualities as your uninhibited mind ventures down a road of no return.
Or better yet, venture down a road of rebirth.
Your pain, your questioning of self worth, your depression, it will all be worth while, because you will come out of the other side a bigger person, one calloused to the white noise of the outside world. Because you will realize your true friendships, separating the wheat from the chaff. You’ll feel overwhelmed with emotions you had suppressed for so long, mistaking toxic masculine practices as being a “real man.”
When you call dad telling him you want to kill yourself, the sound of your own voice will be chilling and uttering those words will start the change you never knew was overdue.
You’ll also change at your core, legitimately a complete 180 overnight. You will hit rock bottom and bounce back a hundred fold, possessing a wisdom and understanding that is frankly grounds of envy for those who don’t get you. You’ll lose “friends” and gain something much more important: family.
This is all a lot to digest, and it probably seems like I must be screwing with you. But just promise me one vital thing: Don’t blame social media.
Social Media is a tool, a mechanism of change — a psycho-sociological playground that when utilized correctly, will be a place where you can inspire others. You are the catalyst of change, people will not see the old version of you when then meet you and look you in your eyes. That old self will die and perish… at least it will when you let go.

Remember what Great-Great Auntie Dee told you all those years, “Your attitude determines your altitude. So fly Michael.”
And boy oh boy, once you realize your potential, you will Touch The Sky. (Okay, NOW I’m done with the references, but c’mon lets be honest, you’re going to use Kanye to get through the hardest times.) Oh and real quick, get ready for MUSIC ON DEMAND. Yup what a brave new world we live in.
Not just music on demand with curated playlists, but suggested shopping… you won’t need to leave your house for groceries or necessities! Social media will make you question your relationships, causing you to ponder what it’s like being an analog guy in a digital world. Here is the secret sauce to the Big Mac that is social media though: GIVE IN.
No, you don’t need to relinquish control, but you also don’t need to insulate yourself from imminent change. Social media was never the enemy… your toxic perception of self was all along.
So stop resisting, the same way you need to put the Microsoft Zune and LG Chocolate down and grab an Apple iPod and iPhone. It is the future, and resistance is futile.
Acceptance is fertile.
Damn right Michael, you’re a visionary. A wordsmith of sorts, and a creator of art you’ll remember forever.
When you think about it, you’re sorta like Michelangelo…

Just don’t buy nunchucks.
