I realize that I am breaking my trend of my 101 things in 1001 days with this post, but I feel very strongly that this must be posted.
91. Go horseback riding - to be posted soon!
I have been hearing about a lot of people being mistreated lately. Others talking about them behind their backs, spreading rumours - whether true or false, unwanted and unnecessary confrontations over facebook and other electronic means. I must say, I have had enough. I will admit, at this point in time, I am not at the receiving end of tormentors that I have referenced above, but I feel that it is time that it is addressed, as I have been at the receiving end at other times in my life, and I know of the silent scars that it leaves.
I do not know why I expected these things to magically change after high school. I guess I simply expected people to do some growing up after they left the confined space of '9 to 3 monday to friday, same mind numbing people every single day'. I have been confronted with the harsh reality that that high school attitude never goes away completely, whether you are fresh out of high school or in your 40s. People continuously feel the need to give themselves a false sense of self-worth and to pry themselves into other people's affairs that have nothing to do with them. You do not become superhuman by making another feel like they are not human at all.
I have also noticed that people are using a new brand of what used to be called "Liquid Courage". People are now using "Electronic Courage". I cannot say that I am not guilty of electronic courage, but this is not something I am proud of. Regardless, people use it all the time, whether it is telling that person that you would really like to go out on a date with them or telling another person that they were extremely rude at work the other day. Despite the reason, what has happened to our ability of saying what we mean and meaning what we say? Excuse me for returning to the primeval ways of Dr. Seuss, but honestly, I have noticed that the most caring and loving people I know are the young children who still believe that the words of Dr. Seuss are ones to be respected and cherished. I understand that it is easier to communicate with someone via text message, facebook or email but I implore you, make an effort to have crucial conversations in person, face-to-face. If Jane Doe offended you in ANY way, talk to Jane Doe. With your mouth, not your fingertips. It is not appropriate for you to send her a mile long facebook message about all the problems you have with her.
The definition of cyberbullying is: the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. That harm whether it be psychological or emotional is hurtful and remembered. The person who is harmed will most likely carry that hurt for years to come, regardless if you apologize or not. You said it, typed it, messaged it and most importantly, you meant it. You wrote it with the intention to make them feel like a jerk, a slut, an idiot, a douche bag, an ugly person.
Now for a moment, I would like to write about this problem while including my own personal religious beliefs. If there is anything I know for a surety, it is that God loves his children and that we are all his children. What gives you the right to make someone feel like they are worth less than that? If you understood for even a moment how much God loves that individual you would not be able to find something bad to say about that person. You would love them as unconditionally as their Father in Heaven does. How often have people decided to leave the church because of someone who offended them? Or said something rude or hurtful about them? If that person loses their desire to attend church because of your actions, then it is my belief, that you are partly responsible. Of course, that person must have had their own problems to have left. But who are you to decide who is good enough to be attending church? Christ's true gospel is perfect, it's members however are not. Saints gather together to become perfect through Christ's atoning sacrifice. You cannot expect people to be perfect in this life. We can only hope to be more like Christ, perfection cannot be attained by anyone. Who am I to judge another, when I walk imperfectly? Take this into consideration the next time you go to pass judgement on someone for texting in church or having a shorter skirt or for not getting up to bare their testimony on fast Sunday.
I have also noticed that people are using a new brand of what used to be called "Liquid Courage". People are now using "Electronic Courage". I cannot say that I am not guilty of electronic courage, but this is not something I am proud of. Regardless, people use it all the time, whether it is telling that person that you would really like to go out on a date with them or telling another person that they were extremely rude at work the other day. Despite the reason, what has happened to our ability of saying what we mean and meaning what we say? Excuse me for returning to the primeval ways of Dr. Seuss, but honestly, I have noticed that the most caring and loving people I know are the young children who still believe that the words of Dr. Seuss are ones to be respected and cherished. I understand that it is easier to communicate with someone via text message, facebook or email but I implore you, make an effort to have crucial conversations in person, face-to-face. If Jane Doe offended you in ANY way, talk to Jane Doe. With your mouth, not your fingertips. It is not appropriate for you to send her a mile long facebook message about all the problems you have with her.
The definition of cyberbullying is: the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. That harm whether it be psychological or emotional is hurtful and remembered. The person who is harmed will most likely carry that hurt for years to come, regardless if you apologize or not. You said it, typed it, messaged it and most importantly, you meant it. You wrote it with the intention to make them feel like a jerk, a slut, an idiot, a douche bag, an ugly person.
Now for a moment, I would like to write about this problem while including my own personal religious beliefs. If there is anything I know for a surety, it is that God loves his children and that we are all his children. What gives you the right to make someone feel like they are worth less than that? If you understood for even a moment how much God loves that individual you would not be able to find something bad to say about that person. You would love them as unconditionally as their Father in Heaven does. How often have people decided to leave the church because of someone who offended them? Or said something rude or hurtful about them? If that person loses their desire to attend church because of your actions, then it is my belief, that you are partly responsible. Of course, that person must have had their own problems to have left. But who are you to decide who is good enough to be attending church? Christ's true gospel is perfect, it's members however are not. Saints gather together to become perfect through Christ's atoning sacrifice. You cannot expect people to be perfect in this life. We can only hope to be more like Christ, perfection cannot be attained by anyone. Who am I to judge another, when I walk imperfectly? Take this into consideration the next time you go to pass judgement on someone for texting in church or having a shorter skirt or for not getting up to bare their testimony on fast Sunday.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. - John 8:6
Words wound the soul. Do not be the person who makes someone feel that they are not worthy of the eternal blessings of Christ's gospel.
Words wound the soul. Do not be the person who makes someone feel that they are not worthy of the eternal blessings of Christ's gospel.
Next time you go to send a hateful, hurtful or spiteful message, I ask you to think twice. Is this something that I should be talking to them about in person? If the answer is yes, then do so. If you feel you would feel too uncomfortable talking to them about it in person, perhaps you should not say anything at all. As my mother has always told me...
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
