no its really not…
just stop…
I promise, this is not a political post and I’m not talking about just politics here, nor am I pointing fingers at anyone or any political party.. Now that I got that out of the way here is what I’m worried about..I am worried for us, for our children, our grandchildren and most of all our country. What has happened to us? Why is everyone so full of hate these days? This didn’t happen over night and it isn’t just about who is in office. I haven’t felt much like writing lately and this is part of the reason why. But I decided I needed to say some things and get my feelings out.
So what happened…I truly believe a huge part of it is due to social media. I can’t even look at FB some days. I have begun limiting myself from it for periods of time and instead have been on Instagram and reading more. It’s sad because it is a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends due to me not living close to most of them anymore. FB is not the only problem, the news isn’t helping at all. Remember when the evening news was just that…news! No one ever gave an opinion nor was it in anyway slanted towards any one side or the beliefs of the newscaster. I long for the good old days to be back again.
I really believe people say things on social media they never would say in real life to anyone. I even see a post and think to myself..aw this is such a sweet post…and then read the comments and someone has said something nasty and mean spirited. I think wow, where did that even come from and why would someone post that… What makes someone do that? I have no answer…I am sorry we have come to this..
”A loving heart is the truest wisdom.” ~ Charles Dickens
Here’s a thought…It’s not ok to bully or make fun of people. Anyone..We teach our kids and grandkids this and then adults are doing this. Do they realize what they are doing or do they just go along with the crowd? Making fun of anyone is not OK! I have seen people I know make fun of someone and I think, do I really know this person? Maybe it was done in jest, but I’m pretty sure the person being made fun of doesn’t think it’s funny.
My grandfather was a Sunday School teacher and he taught all of us to be kind..always be kind, no matter what. He was the kindest, sweetest man I ever knew. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and I learned a lot from him. He taught us all to love one another and not to hate. He told us to treat people the way we want to be treated.
I have tried to live by my grandfathers teachings. I dont always get there and some times I slip up. I am human after all. But for the most part I try to show kindness and love. You know it is one thing to say something in the comfort of your home to a friend or family member but do we really need to put the harsh words out there for all to see? What does that accomplish? It only breeds more hatefullness.
We are all wondering why there is so much bullying going on in schools, road rage shootings and just plain meanness these days..maybe we need to look at ourselves to see where this starts..it starts with each one of us.
”Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and, most easily of all, the gate of fear.”~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
I am sad at what we have become. I am sad when I walk down the street in our little town and no one bothers to even look at you or smile and say hello. I try…and sometimes I am met with a smile and a “good morning”, but more often than not, I get nothing! I remember as a child, going downtown with my mother and everyone said hello and smiled.
Can we go back to those days, back to the way we were? Can we stop all the hate? That is my question for you? I think we can. I believe there is good in the world. I post a good story every single day on FB. Believe me, some days it is hard to find one amidst all the other stuff on there. But eventually I find one. It gives me hope and shows me there is still good in the world. And I love when people I don’t even know tell me they love that I post them and look forward to them every day.
I want to believe its possible for us to rise above the hate! I believe we are better than this! My hope is for a better world for our grandchildren and their children. A world that is more filled with love than hate… We can do this. I know we can…
I need to post this in my classroom, and at my house, and on all of my pages and anywhere that anyone feels like they are entitled not only to have their opinions on their own social media pages but on the pages of others. I am all for the people who say they can post what they want to post on their own feeds, but many of those same people feel like they can also post what they want to post on anyone’s feeds. Not only do some of them not care whether or not it hurts your feelings, they hope that it will hurt feelings or incite anger. *sigh* What ever happened to, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all?”
Exactly Brittany, My Mother used to say that exact same thing…if you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all! And I really try to live by this..
Amen! This is the message we all need to send. Always choose KINDNESS! My hope and prayers are that we as a collective whole, step out from behind technology and social media and remember what it is like to be neighbors, friends, and communities.
You are so right Laurie!
I love this post, Renee! It’s so easy to get discouraged. But I think you’re on the right track. Let’s go back to the time when people smiled and said hello! to people they met. It starts with each of us.
A man wandering down the starfish-littered beach picks one up and throws it back into the water. A passer-by tells him what he’s doing can’t possibly make a difference. His reply? He picks up another starfish and throws it back and says, “It mattered to that one!” One at a time.
And, to quote my Mom: “It’s nice to be important. But It’s more important to be nice!”
All so very true Diane..it costs nothing to be kind! And thank you!
Renee I love your post because we all can do what we can and if we do perhaps there will be an impact! In the aftermath of Saturday’s shootings and the response from our President, it is hard to believe that goodness will prevail. I am optimistic but guarded in my optimism
Thank You Haralee, and yes I am trying to be optimistic too!
Agreed. I have to say the impact on us is wearing on me, I hope our kids don’t grow up to think this is normal… we all have to speak up and do better
Yes we do Janice..and thank you for commenting!
Love this post. I believe we were well on our way to a more accepting society until this presidency, where lying and name-calling are the norm. I’m beyond sad. However, I am a Twitter user and sometimes look for cute, positive things – babies, puppies, kittens – to post to cheer up myself and anyone else who sees them.
Thank you Linda! I agree…we need more positivity!
Ya know….it actually DOES have to do with people in power who have a global platform. (At least part of the problem) They have acquired that station in their lives and should do everything in their power to bring everyone together to live more harmonious lives. We’ve GOT to learn to live ONE NATION under GOD before it’s too late to change the outlandish thoughts of a handful of misguided fools. Amen……..
Very True Peg!
Renee, you are so right. We are at a time in our history when passion outdistances reason and the political climate in this country suffers from it. I have to say though that the Presidency is a position that is supposed to unite people rather than incite them to divide. Our greatest Presidents, be they of any political party, are remembered for this skill. Sadly the inhabitant in the office today falls far short of that goal. His petulance is then copied by others who subscribe to his political persuasion. Social media is to blame as well because it keeps people from interacting face to face. It is so much easier to blurt out a negative comment on Facebook, Twitter, and the like than to speak to someone in person. As a result, your walks in downtown Thurmont become lonelier because people have become used to relating on a device rather than in person. I left Facebook because of that reason. I have no regrets over that decision. Maybe we should all face a book now and then rather than using Facebook. Great post. If your goal was to get people to think, you succeeded.
Thank you Andy! And yes, it was to make people think…not sure if it will make the ones creating the problems think…but at least I tried!
I so agree with you. It makes me so sad reading anything these days. FB was fun when it was used for SOCIAL interaction and sharing our days and thoughts. I am so scared for my great grands. Life’s too short to be mean and hateful. Laughter feels soooo much better!! And even if it’s at my expense I try to make people laugh 😜
So true Susie! Keep making people laugh!