![dislikelicenseplate[1]](http://www.smithwit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dislikelicenseplate1.jpg)
Sometimes I forget that people can be mean. (Yes, I live in a cave far, far away from the real world. HA!)
Truth is, people can say something that can rattle your soul and cause you to react, rather than respond.
That’s just what happened to me yesterday.
My first mistake was glancing at my cell phone to notice an influx of comments on my SmithWit Facebook Page ,while I still had sleep in my eyes, and zero coffee in my veins (big mistake).
In reacting, I hastily deleted a Facebook post that held hurtful words. (Whah!)
In reacting, I took those words personally.
In reacting, I let the Devil win.
RATHER…
Had I taken a deep breath , I would have remembered that I am a daughter of the One True God.
Had I taken a step back, I would have remembered I am wonderfully and fearfully made. (Not to mention really awesome!)
Had I hit the pause button, I would have remembered that “In the beginning was the word…”
YES. IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD!!!
And you know what? Those first words uttered were full of LOVE.
Those words were full of GRACE.
{…perhaps some sarcasm and humor at times (points to self!) HeeHe!}
And those words were full of KINDNESS.
I know for sure that those words did NOT sound like this:
“Your story sucked. You’re not funny, you’re not clever and you’re not cute.”
![securedownload[1] (2)](http://www.smithwit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/securedownload1-2.png)
Hey, thanks for voting, Erez!!!
Those words also didn’t sound like this:
“Ah this was not funny and I know funny This was ridiculous and boring go find another career cause funny aimt yours Bozo”
![securedownload[1]](http://www.smithwit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/securedownload1.png)
Well, Bert, clearly English isn’t yours, but let me stay on track…
Bert and Ernie, Uhh, I mean Erez, reminded me yesterday that the world can be a cruel place. And while I would never say such mean things to anyone, stranger or not, that doesn’t mean other people won’t.
If I could live yesterday all over again, I would have poured myself a big cup of Joe and left the blog post and comments alone to speak for themselves.
When I have the room to think clearly, I know that not everyone is going to like me or like what I have to say. Someone may dislike me because of my faith, or because I remind them of someone they dislike, or just because they’re total jackholes with the need to bully.
From here on out, I will deal with the situation by refusing to let mean remarks seep in and affect my character as a![4690_84098224418_5537815_n[1]](http://www.smithwit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4690_84098224418_5537815_n1.jpg)
person. I know who I am, and Whose I am, and I will stand in confidence (With a shotgun (or rifle) in my hand, because that’s legal in Texas)! HA!
Besides, most mean comments left online are anonymous because people are cowards. Cowards rarely have any accomplishments to show for themselves so its best to just forget about them.
And, in the event that you let it play out all wrong the day before and actually let people’s dumb comments affect you, you should write a blog about it because it will make you feel much, much better! I promise. Heehe.
This all brings me back to the blog I wrote on New Year’s Day, Cracker Jacks of Joy, and how words matter. Words do matter! So let’s all do better to speak truth and love back into one another’s life, instead of fear and hatred, and remind each other that in every moment, we have an opportunity to stand in confidence instead of insecurity.
Love wins. Always.
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Why do you think people have a propensity to be crueler online than in person?
I am constantly astounded by the unbelievably rude and hateful comments I have seen on many blogs and product reviews. I have been shocked many times. Are people really that interested in going out of their way to be mean? I wonder if these people could say to a person’s face what they put in writing behind their safe computers while wearing their SpongeBob Square Pants PJs????
It reminds me of that Brad Paisley song http://youtu.be/UE6iAjEv9dQ#aid=P9IZmeLii8Q
That song captures the essence of the online cowardice perfectly! Some people have an innate lure towards cruelty. It’s sad, really. But we will kill them with kindness. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll just kill them. HA!
Sticks and Stones can break my bones but names can never hurt you. Well that saying IS SO NOT TRUE!!
Social Media has some very positive things but also some cruel, mean ways to express oneself.
I LOVE YOUR HUMOR. You make me laugh out loud all the time.
People that demean others on social media must have very poor self images.
Keep writing Debbie, we need you.
Thanks for those words, Missy. These two guys really did put the MEAN in demean. 🙂
So sorry Bert and Ernie are such bitter betties! Thank you for the reminder that our words even those just shared virtually do not exist in a vacuum and can cause harm. Why do people have a propensity to be crueler online? I think because it is easier to get away with both in regards to owns own moral compass and societally. There is a certain disconnect between spewing caustic copy behind the safety of your monitor and actually bringing yourself to say something to someone’s face and have to see the repercussions. I pretty much just assume these guys have a) black souls b) are unhappy/hurting and c) have nothing better to do than go around being bullies. To them I would like to say, to their faces, grow up!
People can be so cruel, and it’s hard not to take it personally! The way I look at it, if they are mean, THEY are the unhappy insecure ones! Plus – If they don’t like what you post, then why are they reading? I love your Blog!
MichelleLynnMoments.com
See, I will never understand how anyone can leave nasty comments. Don’t they remember their mom telling them if they have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. Those are some unhappy peeps trying to bring you down. You just go on being your awesome self, living in your bubble….sparkle on, girl!
I like my bubble. Especially when is sparkles! Thanks for the love, Susie!
You know what is missing from Erez’s comments? What’s missing is the word “I”. I think he should have owned his comments as his opinion and they should have read like this, ““I think your story sucked. I think you’re not funny, clever, or cute.” At which point, I would have to say, that is your opinion, and I think the people that believe the writer is funny, clever, and cute, far out weigh the people that don’t.
As for Bert, he at least used “I”. I’m sure he knows funny too, just what is funny for him. And he may very well think the writing was ridiculous and boring. That’s totally within his right not to find something funny and even state his opinion as such. Calling someone a name like “Bozo”, well I think that is just childish, which makes me not give much weight to the opinion he holds for the writing.
Whether you are giving positive or negative feedback, I think it should always be given without trying to demean or make fun of someone. In the end, I believe that sort of stuff just reflects badly on the person writing it.
And yes, I had a big cup of Joe before writing this. Keep on writing Debbie. 🙂
Hi there, I read your new stuff regularly. Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
Great post!! I love that you added a screen print of Bert and “Ernies” comment!
One thing that I CAN’T stand are those anonymous mean comments and you are right THEY ARE COWARDS!!
I found you via the sits girls and the title of your post immediately caught me eye. I forget how easily I get caught up in letting others define me – and not the God who loves me! You nailed every point. I can’t wait to read more of your posts!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary Frances. And I’m glad I’m not the only one who forgets what matters. 🙂
Love the pic with the riffle! Your blog is refreshingly real and funny. Those other peeps need to go for a run, have some coffee and lighten up. 😉 I got my feelings hurt when an affiliate dropped me only after a few days, after just choosing the banner I liked. So, I guess it wasn’t meant to be and to be honest, wasn’t my “thing” anyway. People can be poopy. I’m a new follower and LOVE your posts.
Always hugs,
Tanya
Tanya recently posted…Mommy Guilt