You Get What You Give

New Radicals, I think. If I remember it then it must be a 90s song. I like song lyrics. I feel it's a glimpse into the mind of the writer at that particular time. I like to play around with them and try to make them funny or relatable before tweeting them and waiting for the song recognitions and complains of ear worms. I make no apologies for that. It amuses me and I'm often found singing my cover versions in the shower for a few days after.

You Get What You Give is kind of uplifting. 

'Don't let go'

'Don't give up'

'I feel the music in you'

Lovely stuff, but one line made me think of some aspects of social media and a few (kind) comments sent my way recently; 'You only get what you give'

I couldn't agree more when it comes to the #DOC and the community I'm more involved in the #GBDoc.

I try to be a giver (stop laughing) rather than a taker. And it's really rewarding! I know I'm involved in lots of things such as Tweetchat organising, fantasy football and I harassed a lot of you into playing the Zoom quiz during Lockdown part 1 but I don't see those things as giving. The opposite, in fact. I get so much from being a part of those things that they're really not an effort for me. Doing the things you love is never work.

My giving comes from engagements and my time. I try to answer and acknowledge every tweet reply and message to me. I've nearly 3500 followers on the tweet and close to 1000 on the insta-thing so sometimes a popular "post" turns into an avalanche of engagements. I'll answer, though and I'll take the time to read others' tweets and posts and engage on their subjects too. In return, I've made a lot of friends and opportunities have come my way. I'm amazed when an opportunity is offered to me because I'm just... me? A Joe Bloggs T1D. I don't run marathons or climb mountains. I'm not media famous. I certainly don't have a bikini body. I'm a middle aged man who talks about diabetes on the Internet. 

Perhaps there is something in that? Just trying to be kind and offering your time and experience to others when they ask for it. I don't really know. I'll carry on doing what I do.

I wonder if some have high expectations of online communities? Feeling entitled to various things despite offering very little in return apart from a daily tirade of spam and talking themselves up. Or hurtful passive-aggressive messages followed by bewilderment at being ignored. Certainly, when the community fails to respond appropriately there is a sense of anger and frustration from those individuals. Each to their own, of course but I for one don't feel the music in them.