I have had something on my mind today, and I have been trying to work through it. It has really been bothering me. It's not a huge thing, it happens all the time....but then again.... really it is a huge thing, and today it just got to me.
I enjoy Facebook, I go on a couple of times a day to keep up with friends and family. There was a dark time in my life...where Facebook helped me hold on...just by seeing there were people there who cared. I have ended up reconnecting with friends and coworkers from my past. I think it can be a good thing....if we all try to stay positive. But so often, I will see people sending not-so-secret messages to people through their statuses...or posting a fairly blatant message to someone and airing all kinds of dirty laundry.....unneccessary. People share photos, videos, stories, jokes...funny, inspitational, political etc... as well as likes and dislikes. This is all fine....until someone gets hurt. I wonder how often we sit and think before we post something...about the impact that it might have on someone that we love. Sometimes we hurt someone unknowingly, but sometimes... I just sit and stare at the screen, wondering why.....when I see some of the content that is posted. And today I was just saddened at the hate in people's hearts...so discouraging. Let's just say that someone dear to me just absolutely loves and admires a particular celebrity. Today I saw posts from two members of that person's family ridiculing and making disparaging comments about that celebrity.
Now in the first place...why was that necessary? I guess being a celebrity means that you have to put up with ridicule from those who aren't your fans. What I saw today was truly unnecessary. So you don't appreciate what that person has to offer...ok...move on. No one is making you pay attention to them. In the second place, you well know that your family member is a true and dedicated fan...and in so dishonoring the celebrity....with or without realizing it...you are dishonoring that person that you love....who holds them in high esteem. You are essentially sending the message that their admiration of this person is shameful. Everything about these types of posts are hurtful to someone. I must ask why they are necessary?
Have we forgotten how to be kind? How to care for people? How to live and let live? Have we forgotten what my Mom tried to teach me: "If you don't have anything nice to say....don't say anything at all".? I am seeing an increasing amount of stuff out there that is hurtful to someone...and I have to ask why? If you have a negative opinion of someone...ok, that is your right. But is it necessary to spread the negativity in your own heart to others? It is possible to have a good laugh...without it being at someone's expense. And if that is the only way that you can laugh, at least do it in private.
I feel as if kindness is a lost art in these times in which we live. We all seem to be focused on ourselves....it's all about us...and we forget about those around us. That is not how it is supposed to be. Our lives are made deeper and more meaningful by the relationships we have with others. We need to nurture each other, care for each other, try to understand each other....we need to be kind to each other. What gives any of us the right to post anything negative about anyone for all to see?
I think before we say something..or post something for public viewing...we should really stop for a minute and think how we would feel if it was being said about us....or someone important to us. Is it a comment that is necessary.....or better left unsaid? I just don't understand how so many of us can just hurl accusation and be so critical of others...when we ourselves...are so far from perfect. It needs to be all about the lifting up and encouraging and not the putting down. If you don't have it in you right now to encourage, then at least do the world a favor by remaining quiet until you can. I really believe that all this negativity feeds on each other...and has attributed to the evil we so often witness in this world. We need to try to be kind.....to think of others before acting. It's not about what was so clever, or funny, or sarcastic...or all about our personal opinion....if it is at someone elses expense. It isn't always easy....but we need to try....to be kind. We aren't always going to like everyone. We are going to have different opinions on everything out there...but I think there is a time and a place and a way to express them that isn't hurtful.....and if there isn't...then maybe they are better not expressed at all.
We are all guilty of this...I know I am. But I am going to try to make it a priority to think of others...and try to be kind in every way and every time that I can. I do not want to be the type of person that finds it necessary to share what I witnessed being shared today.
"Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will neither be successful or happy.
~ Napoleon Hill
photo credit: Cara and Alyssa who stole my camera one beautiful day at the beach.
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