My heart is heavy and I am saddened as I write this blog. Sometimes blogging material comes easily and quickly, other times I have to coax it out of nowhere or dig it out of bedrock. This week I had lots of things I wanted to blog about, but my spirit kept taking a beating and I didn’t have the emotional strength to post those things. I generally try to avoid controversy and I always try to take the high road. So, I guess that’s what I’ve decided to do by tackling more important issues – self-worth and ignoring haters.
You see, people can be mean. Even people we know, love, trust, can be hurtful. Some people are just naturally jealous or petty or hateful for some deep-seated reason I don’t care to delve into. I try to avoid those people. I don’t like being around or associating with downers. Haters wreak havoc on positive-minded individuals and it’s a struggle to stay strong and focused and ignore the bad stuff. But sometimes, it affects me because I don’t understand why haters have to hate. We can disagree without being hateful.
The passing of the baton to a new commander-in-chief has once again created turmoil in our country. It saddened me on inauguration day to see such utter disrespect for fellow humans in the form of violence, rioting, ugly name-calling, etc. It hurts my heart. It dampens my spirit. Yes, somebody “won” and somebody “lost,” and some will rejoice while others wail. But nobody has the right to willfully destroy someone else’s dream. It saddens and sickens me to see this kind of disrespect.
I was personally attacked on a social media site recently for expressing my opinion. Here’s something to think about people, opinions are neither right nor wrong, they are opinions. Vicious verbal flogging is pointless because there is no right or wrong answer. The figurative “you” are not a better person than I am because your opinion varies from mine.
Anyway, enough about that. My mission this week is to provide a positive safe place for people to find a positive inspirational message about ignoring haters and bettering themselves in the process. The following video (warning – explicit strong language – some people may be offended by some language in this video) struck a chord with me. It’s kind of long, but it’s right on point for a lot of reasons.
What I took away from this video: 1 – Always show up; 2 – Always conduct yourself with confidence and class even if that makes you a weirdo; 3 – Assign yourself a value; 4 – If you want it, go get it (in a non-violent way); 4 – Activate the beast within (in a positive way to affect positive change). These take-aways are for overall feel-good motivation.
And #5 – the most important one for any writer who’s ever received a rejection letter – don’t ever give up. Even if you’re the only person who can see the invisible possibility in your dream, never lose site of that vision. Prove the nay-sayers (and haters) wrong.
What do you think readers, does social and/or mainstream media get you down? Do you argue the opinions of others – and I don’t mean in jest, like I argue Coleen’s opinions about cat ownership – I mean do you ask for someone’s opinion then tell them they’re wrong? How do you defend yourself when you’re verbally attacked?
Thanks for indulging me this week. I appreciate all of you my loyal followers and I understand that our opinions may differ, but here at the Edge of Eternity, all opinions are welcome as long as they are respectful.
Word of the Day: Wadcutter
Fun fact about me: I’m not nearly as sarcastic as I used to be.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2017. Video courtesy YouTube (Mulligan Brothers – Motivation). Photos courtesy Google Images.
I too am sad – hence my post yesterday…. I worry that our country is divided and we are headed for darker times (which is contrary to my mantra – make the days count). But, if we all take a moment to listen – and we should – perhaps we can find middle ground. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to turn off the tv and get in tune with nature and each other. But, it’s darn cold and miserable at this time of the year. I believe the media has a bigger role in this mess were in – controversy creates money for them. So there’s my rant. I still be your blogging bud regardless which side you’re on. Honest. Have wonderful week. Peace, may God grant us Peace.
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I hear you Clay about tuning out once in awhile. Nature is a much stronger force (as this past weeks’ tornadoes are a testament to) so let’s give attention where attention is due. Tuning into one another on a basic human level will also help. Forget prejudices and opinions, let’s focus on the common factors that we all want and need in our lives.
I always appreciate seeing your posts and your comments here. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we support each other. That is a good thing.
Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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I have a number of friends who are on the opposite side of the political spectrum from me. I accept that and can remain friends. Heck, my sister is one of them.
When these people post something on social media that reeks of their position, I can choose to read it or not. Whether or not I do, I recognize their right to express themselves.
Sometimes these people will post a negative comment on something I’ve posted, and that’s okay, too. I don’t have to respond to it.
Occasionally, however, one of these people will try to take over my post with scorching replies and then start running arguments with my friends who are in agreement with me. That’s not all right. I simple reply, okay, but don’t try to take over my post.
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Yeah, I was guilty of that as well. I got sucked into a differing of opinions. I don’t normally engage, but for some reason I just felt an overwhelming need to highlight the other side of the coin. We all see things from different perspectives so there are varying forms of the “truth” depending on how and what you see. However, that makes us the same right? It’s a two-edged sword.
Thanks for stopping by and expressing your viewpoint. I appreciate that everyone has something to say, whether I agree with it or not. But, we can be kind and nice and courteous.
Have a great week, Dave.
Patricia
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Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you!!!!! Sending hugs…
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You’re welcome my friend! I’m glad I could help especially since I wasn’t even trying. Stay strong and focused. Unleash the beast within!
Patricia
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I sort of “hit the wall” writing-wise several months ago. In part it was caused by realizing that my latest novel is in need of a complete rewrite rather than just revisions. However, an even larger part of my sense of hopelessness was due to all of the constant negativity on social media and the mainstream media both before and after the election.
Oddly enough, I had been patting myself on the back about not letting the negativity steal my joy – and then it did. It has taken several months to get my feet back under me, so to speak. I am determined to rise above the noise and find joy in all of the good people in the world and all of the god that happens each day. No matter what MSM shoves down our throats each day, I believe the good in both this country and the world far outweighs the bad.
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Isabella – I totally get where you are coming from. It’s hard to take the high road sometimes and it gets lonely up there, but the view is better and the air is cleaner so we must all strive to find our own personal high road.
I also believe the good in this world outweighs the bad, I just wish there was more focus on the good. Wouldn’t that make for a awesome news cast? “Nothing bad to report today – good job America!”
Now – get back to that manuscript girl and make it shine. Bring out the inner beast and make it happen.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your view. You’ve got a friend in me.
Patricia
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Perfect. A message everyone should hear. No matter what our opinions, they deserve to be heard with respect … even if we vehemently disagree. We are all individuals and working together we can make the world the beautiful place it should be. I live in hope.
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That’s one of the things I like about you Patricia – your hope. You always post such beautiful words and pictures on your blog and newsletters. I can’t wait to open each one because I wonder where we’re going today or what awesome beautiful things I’m going to encounter. When people lose hope they lose their sense of right and wrong because they no longer care. How sad for them.
Here’s to the hopers, may they live long and prosper. I for one, will choose peace.
Thanks for visiting today and sharing your sentiments.
Patricia
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I am definitely happier when I stay away from social media. I haven’t been on Facebook in months, other than to check in on a couple of groups. Just don’t want to deal with all of the nasty politics. Even when I am there, I hardly ever post because I just don’t have the energy to deal with someone taking issue with my opinion. Sorry that happened to you, and totally agree with your sentiments here!
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Thanks Jennette. I actually knew better, but for some reason I just had this burning need to show the other side. Stupid me. I should have known that the “other side” is the “wrong side.” Sheesh. Whatever.
Social media has become the worst platform for soapbox rhetoric. I want to go back to the days for recipe videos and cat pictures taking up all the space.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful – social media fee – week.
Patricia
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Oh yeah, I feel you! I’m so sick of people hanging their hate on their “rights”, which somehow (at least in their minds) makes it okay to break other people down if they don’t share the same opinions or viewpoints. We’re all people who have feelings and dreams and convictions of our own, and never, ever is everyone going to agree on everything. And that’s okay. We each have to choose our own paths, and those choices can be made and followed without disrespecting anyone else. I do my best just to ignore those haters, but like you, I have days that it’s just overwhelming and sickening, and I can’t help but feel like an outsider. Or weirdo. Definitely weirdo! Great post, Patricia.
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” . . . hanging their hate on their “rights.” What a great way to phrase it!
Let’s all rise up and leave the filth in the gutter where it belongs. I for one am no longer engaging.
Thanks for sharing your views and your support. It’s easier to stay focused when you know there’s at least one person who’s got your back so to speak.
Have a lovely week. Spring’s coming so there’s that.
Patricia
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Well said, Patricia!
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Thanks Suzanne. It’s a comfort to know that I am not alone in my sadness.
Hope you are doing well. Have a fantastic week.
Patricia
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I do a lot of skimming and blocking on Facebook and it’s why I still like it. If someone just CAN’T stop it with the political posts, I usually mute them for a while. But the “hiding posts of this type” option usually works the best. It has been an ugly few months with people choosing their zeal over their manners – I’m so sorry you got burned.
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I have also been using the “hiding posts of this type,” a lot lately, but one person in particular really gets me worked up. I’m not sure why I keep seeing her posts. They are gross, graphic and angering. I really should unfriend her, but she’s part of a larger group that I mostly enjoy. So . . . I simply skim over her posts. She’s the kind that responds on lots of posts just to pick a fight. So annoying.
Anyway, that’s my problem and I just need to get over it.
Thanks for letting me see your smiling face over here at The Edge of Eternity this morning. Always makes my heart warm to know I’ve got friends who care.
Have a terrific week my friend.
Patricia
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I hate people that respond to your post just to fight with you. I’ve been known to accidentally on purpose delete those comments… O-o.
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In response to your last question about social media, I have drastically reduced my time with it. Even if I just hit delete, the fact remains that I’ve seen the comment/post/venom and it sucks away my positive energy. So I spend less time on social media. Keep your spirits up, friend!
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I have been checking in and hiding most everything that come up these days. But, yes, you still see it and it still affects you. Hiding the post makes me feel a tad bit better, but I think the best thing is to avoid it altogether. Good suggestion.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well in your world. I miss seeing you.
Patricia
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