I have found a good representation of why we need to be: Comment Threads.
Is there a form of self-punishment greater, or a quicker way to lose faith in humanity than by reading comment threads? (even to be made worse if by some lack of control, you're in the comment thread.
The internet does so many great things! It connects people, it's a device for sharing, it's informative... but it can house some of the cruelest interactions that are passive-aggressively possible! (because anyone can feel really big and powerful behind a keyboard). So while the internet can be a place of quick judgement and pain, I would like to create an oasis.
I want to talk about you. You, the individual. You, the person reading these words.
I want to tell you that you're wonderful.
I want to tell you that you impact more lives everyday than you can possibly be aware of.
The other day I was at work, and having an admittedly difficult day. -Do you ever have those days where you swear you're smart, but you're having a tough time proving it? Yeah, it was one of those days.- Well, a customer asked me if we stopped carrying a certain product, so I went over and helped her look for it, because I wasn't sure. Just when we were about to give up, I found it. She was so thankful. She said I made her day, but I think she did a better job of making mine. She needed toilet bowl cleaner... I needed a kind and positive human interaction.
I doubt that when she walked out of the store she had any idea how she changed my day. In fact, it's a pretty good bet that within 15 minutes of leaving the store, she had forgotten about the entire interaction. How soon are we to forget the kindness we share with others?
So maybe you have dirty dishes in your sink. Maybe you don't keep a budget. Perhaps you use less-than-dignified language at all the wrong moments. But maybe it's us. Maybe we have misconstrued what it is that makes a good person.
I want to tell you that your battles are important.
We all ride the struggle bus from time to time. Whether it's school, work, relationships, finances, your future... we all struggle with something. But it's difficult. We watch the news, we hear about travesties, we know someone who was diagnosed with [illness], and we begin to question the validity of our problems. "Well I can't really complain because...". Yes! You can! And you should! Acknowledge your problems and your struggles. Every time you share with someone, you create an open space for them to share too. Do them that favor, do yourself that favor.
I want to tell you that I care about you.
I have no idea who you are. I might know you in real life. I may not. I may have spoken more than 1,000 words to you, or I may have never seen your face before. But I care about you. I would answer your phone call at 1am. I would stand up for you in an argument. I would be an ear if ever you needed one. I say this because it is my wholehearted belief that we are put on this planet to care for one another. Like scraped knees need bandages, we need the caring hearts of other individuals to cover us so we can heal.
We have days where we doubt if we're important. We doubt if we're good people. We doubt if we make the right decisions. But believe this; you are beautifully and wonderfully made. At birthdays and Christmas, we eagerly await for people to open what we got them, to see the look on their faces as they unwrap something that (we just know) will make them smile. Well, consider yourself a gift to others. Be excited about it! Because you're a pretty amazing gift to receive.
Remember that you're more beautiful than you know,
you're more talented than you think,
and you're more loved than you could ever imagine.
Have a wonderful day!
And as always, thanks for reading!
-Em.