Sigh.

I know we’re all human and we all can get caught up in the moment, but I had a rude awakening last night while I fell down the Twitter rabbit hole. While reading certain threads, I let myself click through comments on some posts and what I found disturbed me.

I’ve always been aware of this side of social media. Social media offers people the chance to be what they may not be in real life. That can be a very strong positive and liberating thing. The down side? What I saw and read last night — people calling each other horrid names and using words that, I’m sure, they wouldn’t have said if they faced the person in a live conversation.

Just because someone else goads you on doesn’t mean you should stoop to that level. Just because someone calls you a name doesn’t mean you should call them a name right back. And just because you don’t agree with the other person’s point of view doesn’t mean you have the right to go into a tirade.

So, as of today, I dare every one of us to be nicer. To do at least one nice thing every day, to each other or on social media or in a phone conversation or while texting. Make a post-it note if you need, reminding yourself that we’re all human and that we have more in common than we don’t.

I’m going to give this my best. I hope you do, too.

Here are some ideas:

• Let others speak their mind — even if you disagree or hate what they say. Remember, everyone comes from their own place of feelings and thoughts and experiences just like you do, and those feelings and thoughts and experiences have nothing to do with you. Just as yours don’t have anything to do with them.
• Don’t react. Would you rather have peace of mind during a conversation instead of anxiety and anger? I’m betting you would. Take a deep breath and let the other person vent whatever it is they want to vent. Again, their perspectives have nothing to do with you. Roll it off your back.
• Be respectful and don’t silence the other person. Forcing your point of view onto another person takes away their free will. Who gave you power over the other person anyway? Who said you have the right to shut down someone else because their perspective doesn’t align with yours? Who made you boss? They have a right to their ideas just as much as you do. If you don’t want your free will taken away, don’t strip someone else of theirs.
• You’re not always right. Maybe you have all the facts on your side, but the odds are you may not have all of them. Check where you’re coming from when someone pushes your buttons. Are you that insecure that you have to prove you’re “right”? Is your ego so much in need of validation that you have to shut the other person down? If so, then your argument says more about you than it does the other person.
• Kindness is easier than you think:
  • say please and thank you
  • hold the door open for a stranger
  • don’t interrupt when someone else is talking
  • let go of your mental chatter and really listen (if you have something important to say, trust me, you’ll remember it after they’re done speaking)
  • let the other driver get in front of you
  • smile at others, often
  • be generous with your time
  • be generous with your love

♥ Namaste ♥

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