Today my world both shrunk (in the global village sense) and exploded (in the opportunity sense) and I am practically bursting with excitement.

In the span of a few hours, I somehow connected some intercontinental dots and I’m now finding myself in very beautiful company. I’ve written before about the beauty of friendships drawing out things we never knew we were hiding. In the past, this crazy exchange of joyful energy has happened in a very close-knit group of friends (which is, I’m sure, the kind of crowd to which C.S. Lewis is referring).

Today, something very strange happened. Today, I felt that same joy leap inside me in response to a circle of friends connected through this funny thing called the internet in different countries and states altogether.

Here I am, in Honduras, trying to stay hip and creative and on some undefined artistic edge while working with two drastically different populations in a country more known for its airport landing strip, drug problems, and coffee than artistic movements. I fail pretty regular with the hip/creative/artistic edge routine, but I don’t mind because whatever comes out in the process is inspired by the people I’m rubbing shoulders with everyday.

So, back to that strange leap of joy earlier today. Thanks to two social networking sites, I found myself tweeting, direct messaging and emailing two fabulous organizations.

LOVE IN STEREO is all about “uniting people behind causes and social good using art, artists and fans.” When I found their site awhile back, the words “cause,” “social good,” and “art” immediately captured my attention. I’ve followed them ever since… well, in a twitter/email subscription sense. Today, through some twitter exchanges, I got beyond excited about the possibility of being more than just an admirer in their efforts.

ELEMENTAL PROJECT is using their “website and digital magazines as platforms to showcase positive stories, and promote cause based businesses, charities, and individuals who are actively helping others.” Whoa – super intense! I stumbled upon them through an acquaintance from college and I am so impressed by their commitment to make this explosion in social media and technology matter for the people who need it most.

I wonder what C.S. Lewis would say about internet-induced joyful episodes. Well, in any case, there is some beautiful potential staring back from this calendar day and I intend to claim it! I now have new friends in Michigan and Tennessee and if our inspirational conversations can’t happen around a local brew, they just might percolate over these internet waves.

And that is alright by me.