Disturbed

Before you read any further, this is NOT about one of my husband’s favorite metal bands. Ok…

I have been contemplating giving up all social media. The negativity that is embedded in posts, articles, and such are the crux of my headaches. I stopped watching the news for the same reason. Some online sites post uplifting articles that show that people are mostly good. BUT, many individuals become really brave and lose all inhibition behind the guise of an online post. I would hope their parents taught them better to engage with others in this manner. I guess they forgot.

People I grew up with and know to be of good stock have openly ridiculed and harassed family, friends, and strangers over everything from politics to movie choices. This is getting worse all of the time, too. We need a review on thinking thoughts verses speaking thoughts. A friend of mine gave me a short lesson a few years back. I think the digital world could benefit from the same. Everyone has those thoughts that aren’t really nice and could hurt others. Those thoughts should remain in the sparks of the brain never to blaze out of our mouths. Thoughts are given life and power when they become words. Words can hurt.

Choose Kindness is a phrase that is trending now. I wish it would really catch on and become actions. Think about it, if the overall goal was to be kind, we wouldn’t have arguments over stupid things. We wouldn’t look for opportunities to respond to things that serve no other purpose than to rile others up. We would think before arguing our point which is purely based on personal opinion. Heck, we may even learn the difference between fact and opinion!

It’s hard, folks. I am naturally sarcastic and have instilled that quality in both of my boys. Sometimes they amaze me with their wit, but they aren’t mean – at least they aren’t mean to anyone except each other. I believe it takes a measure of intelligence to be sarcastic. I also believe it takes no intelligence to be mean. It takes no intelligence to attack others just because they are different or think differently from you. So maybe, it’s just a lack of intelligence on the part of those who can’t seem to choose kindness. I don’t know.

I do know that this sarcastic, southern woman is disturbed by the state of our nation. There. I said it. Disturbed. I am not happy with the lack of consideration and empathy on social media and in the national spotlight. I am not happy with the need to be right which means that so many others are absolutely wrong. I am not happy with bullies- especially adult bullies. I am not happy with the lack of common goals. It wasn’t always like this, was it? What changed?

So, what do I need to do to change my attitude? I think my focus needs readjusting. My world is full of positives. My family. My friends. My church. My job. My puppies! I will tune in to those people and things that bring me joy. I will put in the work to ensure that I bring kindness to my environment. Maybe if we all do that, things will get better. Who’s in?