I’ve recently run into a person on social media who has
expressed an obvious displeasure with a group’s action. Or perhaps I should say that I run into
this daily and almost every time I gaze at the interwebs. But this particular outburst and ruse
to rouse other’s emotions has gotten me thinking for the past several days,
which no doubt it was meant to do.
I can tell you I was not the only one affected, because of the stream of
comments left in the wake of this update. What I wanted to say was something to the effect of “why do
you spread negativity about a group you are upset with? Why don’t you go to them and offer your
help and guidance, if you know so much about how they should be
operating?” Or better yet “why not
focus on the good of what has come out of said groups actions and work to
further it?” Or something to that
effect worded in the best way possible.
I chose not to reply for 2 reasons. The first was because I was not in the
mood to argue with someone who was prepared to fight for their comment. Why else would they put such a thing on
social media? And the second was
because in writing such a response would I not be in direct opposition to what
I say I believe in? In my initial
responses I was upset because he was pointing out the negative and focusing on
it and wanting other people to do the same. In pointing out that negativity would I not be doing the
same thing that had enraged me in the first place?
How has responding to negativity with negativity ever
created the results that I’m after?
I see that my intentions would be to educate said person on their
negativity and point them down the path to loving all people and making the
world and better and more peaceful place.
All that considered; it seems to me to be a noble means of
communication. But I know that
peace, love and truth were what this person was after, as well. And I can tell you that our clash of
perspectives would not be wisely discussed on social media in front of everyone
and with the risk of misinterpretation that is so common with the written word.
However, it brings me to another point of internal
debate. When is it appropriate to
take on that teaching role in any way other than that of living it? What I am talking about comes directly
from a quote that I grew up with in church and have kept with me past religion
and into my every day and mystical life; “preach the gospel always, use words
if necessary”. When is it
necessary to use words? Is it that
I am afraid of the conflict that would arise and the uncertainty of being heard
and/or misunderstood? Or is there
really a place to point out people’s hypocrisy and double living? I believe most people don’t want to
live a double standard and would like to live closer and closer to truth. I also believe that teachers have a
great role in helping others to achieve what they are after. However, who am I to say that I am a
teacher?
Hmm as I write this, I am becoming aware that my quandaries
are in direct relation to my ideas surrounding my communication skills. I have a hard time communicating with
people in a way to make them understand what I’m talking about, especially when
it comes to a perspective about life that others are not accustomed to or that
what they think to be against what they believe. When I start to see that my words are riddles to others I
just give up and change the subject.
So often have I done this that I have resorted to keeping my mouth shut
more and more as I watch the world around me and attempt to engage with
it. I say attempt because the more
I keep my mouth shut the more I feel like an outsider looking in, an audience
to a show, and a cloud to the bustling ground below. In one hand it brings me peace. Peace here being defined as a lack of conflict in my
personal life. On the other hand,
I believe that all people are on their own journey and I trust in Devine
providence to lead them where and how they are supposed to go. It doesn’t matter what I see or what I
think, only what God sees and what God thinks. The universe is powerful enough to do whatever is
appropriate and then therefore why should I bother?
Hmmm....
perhaps I will write more on this later. I’m sure I could touch on other tangents that would shed light
on my thoughts. However, I’ve not
time for that now.
Peace and love to you and may Truth always be your
companion.
