I know you’ve heard the saying, “You reap what you sow,” before, but have you ever considered it in context to what is happening on social media? I’ve mentioned before how manners are non-existent because people say things they wouldn’t have the guts to say to people in person, but it has gotten worse, and we are reaping what we have sown.
Here’s the visual I got the other day: think of social media like our planet. It started off as a beautiful place full of bright, happy pictures and love for all, but once people started trashing it with their hurtful statements, political agendas and hate speech, it started to die. Yes, if social media were our planet, it would look like a toxic waste dump and wasteland right out of a Mad Max movie.
Each and every day people say we must be kind to one another, but then they post things that are divisive and shame anyone who doesn’t agree with them. And when it comes to Facebook, I even have a problem with people peddling their makeup and weight-loss products because that is NOT what Facebook was created for…thus why Facebook tried to push businesses to the business page section. I have one, and I don’t post my business posts on my personal page. I try to protect people’s space, even in a digital world.
We have not respected our social media planet any better than we have the planet earth. Both need watering, care, nurturing and love. Instead, we trample, stomp and destroy with our posts and then wonder why the “planet” is scorched. I think I understand why some people jump from one platform to another. They ruin one and move on to poison another!
I used to allow myself one personal rant a year on Facebook, but I have even stopped that. It’s a cesspool, and I don’t want to contribute to the mess. For those who are committed to keeping it positive, friendly and personal, I thank you. If we all try to do our part, perhaps we can begin to reap blessings instead of curses.
My business is all about the entire person, so I do cover a lot of topics. Again, I keep them to my data base emails, business FB page, Twitter and Linked In, although Linked In isn’t any better than FB these days when people are posting about their sobriety. Seriously, do you not understand that employers check your LI profile and postings? It really has gotten out of hand, and I’ve lost all respect for LI.
How do we heal the social media planet? We go back to basics of treating others with respect and remembering, if it isn’t kind, why say it? If you want to argue with someone offline, and they are up for a debate, go for it! Otherwise, can we try to keep it civil? Mental health is making the news, and one way to start decreasing stress and depression is to put the social back in social media. Keep it kind, loving, thoughtful, fun and benign and for goodness’ sake, keep your business off of it. Get a business page!
How about we build each other up instead of tearing each other down? If you really disagree with someone, go to the person directly and don’t blast them in front of the entire world. The principle of praising publicly and criticizing privately definitely applies to social media!
Plenty of groups exists where you can register for specific interests and interact with like-minded people. Groups regarding certain types of medical conditions are a great place for emotional support should you need it. Hurting really bad? Social media isn’t the place – call a friend or family member! If we want to reap peace, tranquility and harmony, then we better start planting those seeds.
If you have forgotten some of the basics and would like to refresh yourself on how to conduct yourself (think the Golden Rule), I have a great, little booklet called, Manners Still Matter, that you can purchase. May we plant healthy and helpful seeds so we can reap a bountiful harvest for us all.
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