I have noticed several things in my venture on the internet...people are people, both face to face and behind a computer screen. What I have found, though, is that some people tend to use the internet as a means to hurt others. This could be in the form of creating havoc by causing viruses on others' computers, but it can also be more subtle, yet nonetheless damaging, in the form of gossip, slander or just not being careful with one's words, ending up hurting someone.
What I have learned is that face to face communication is easier in that you can see one another's facial expressions, a smile, laugh, tears, etc. However, unless one uses (LOL, a smiley face, etc.,) on the internet, you just cannot tell! This means that we must be more careful with how we word things...in other words, be more kind and gentle in our approach.
Since I have had the internet I decided to use it as a means to reach out to others, to perhaps make someone's life's brighter, happier, etc. This means that I am also very careful to express myself in such a way that I don't hurt others. This doesn't mean that I have never hurt others, because I am sure I have, it just means that I do my best not to, so I try to be gentle and kind. I try to treat others in the manner that I wish to be treated.
A couple of quotations:
"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles." - William Hazlitt
Thank you for listening, I just needed to share this.
The photo I am sharing today is one I took on a walk in October 2011. I hope you will enjoy it. You just need to click on the image to see a larger view.
Thank you all so much for visiting me here! I do hope that my blog serves as an inspiration and encouragement to you all, because this is what I really try to do...to make your days brighter.
I always appreciate and enjoy reading your thoughts, which you can always share by clicking on the 'comments' link at the end of my post.
What a great post Linda! :) your blog is such an encouragement. Thanks for posting about this!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, dear Britt. Big hugs to you. :)
DeleteJust got back to this post after looking at a couple of your 'Just for Laughs' videos - with a big smile on my face ! LOL !!
ReplyDeleteYes, words can hurt deeply, even if unintentionally. The written word can never convey the same meaning and feeling as the face-to-face spoken word. A favourite quote: "A kind word turns away wrath."
Nice cheerful photo Linda.
Hi Rick, thanks so much, I am so glad that the videos I post help to you laugh or smile. Amen on your quote!
DeleteI do hope you have not experienced this..so easy for people to hide in the internet and hurt.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, thankfully no, but I have seen people hurt others and I just wanted to be able to share my feelings and thoughts on this.
DeleteLike our "offline" lives, our online presence is often calculated to achieve goals we feel are important to each of us personally. Those purposes aren't always in sync with those of others, of course. All we can do then, is be true to ourselves and let others judge as us they will. Plus, we can read or avoid other's blogs as we see fit. My own blog is used to broach multiple and sometimes seemingly contradictory subjects. I've lost more than one reader who has been offended by my words or beliefs, and so have many bloggers. That's why I hope you don't let mean people or negative attitudes of others dissuade you from continuing your own blog. Even old grumps like me need a pleasant retreat sometimes, and your blog provides just that. please keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHi Gorges, what a sweet comment! No, definitely nothing on your blog has offended or hurt me, I can assure you. In fact, I don't think any of my fellow bloggers have posted anything that has hurt me. I just wanted to share my feelings and thoughts, as I have seen others hurt by unkind words and wanted to let people know (most do know, but perhaps some forget sometimes) that there is a human being with feelings and a soul behind every computer screen. Thank you so much for your responses to my posts, I really appreciate it. I had to smile when you said "Even old grumps like me need a pleasant retreat sometimes, and your blog provides just that." I am so glad that you enjoy coming here, because I definitely enjoy having you here.
DeleteGood post and nice reminder to us all.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Peggy.
DeleteThe internet is an amazing tool to find others who really understand & have more compassion than others we may pass each day in life. I have found so many wonderful people threw my blog. I have had their support and prayers you being one of them. I am thankful for this. I know first hand the internet can also be misused to hurt someone. Just 4 days after my sons death there were posts comments put on face book about my daughter. She was at the scene of the crash that took my sons life and the boy she had been seeing. One saying she should have died and many others followed with their own comment. My daughter was hospitalized from the stress to the point she over dosed. This started the day after Christmas again. The internet can be used for the devils playground has been my opinion in this case. It is the choice of us weather we want to offer hope or hurt to another. Blessings! Lara
ReplyDeleteHi Lara, so sorry to hear your experience on Facebook. Thank you so much for sharing this. Blessings.
DeleteYou are so right, you also miss inflection on e-mail! Some things we just cannot send, but have to use the phone. Because people cannot tell if you are serious, joking or what. We need to be very careful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, Ginny.
DeleteHi Linda, Love this post...It's SO true... We don't 'really' know someone when we only communicate through the internet... It's that face to face/eye to eye contact which really helps... I am lucky in that I haven't encountered anything ugly much since being a blogger. I try to keep things positive also --but we all DO have our opinions, don't we??? ha
ReplyDeleteI find that I have many really good blog friends now --but these special friends are ones that I communicate with not only through blogs but through email/texts/phone calls ---and I have even met several of these special friends. Getting to know people personally is my goal--although many people want to remain anonymous without much personal contact. That's okay too--but those are people that I truly do not know.
It's much easier to criticize someone when you are not looking at them... SO--I guess that is why so much meanness can happen through the internet.
Loved this blog. Am so glad to have met you... I tried to follow you on FB--but not sure it 'took'... I am Betsy Banks Adams on FB...
Hugs,
Betsy
Thanks for your comment, Betsy. You have shared much wisdom here, thank you so much. Yes, you have successfully followed me on Facebook, I see your name among my followers. Thank you so much!!!
DeleteDear Linda, your essay this morning was right on target and a delight to read. Your heart is definitely in the right place. Technology, including the Internet, is essentially amoral, but it is up to us as to how it is used.
ReplyDeleteYou have shared with us the maxim derived from many philosophers of various persuasions: Don't do to someone else what you don't want them to do to you. I'm using the negative version because "Do unto others..." leaves too much room for mischief!
And thanks for you many comments. What a delight you are!
Hi Lowell, thanks so much for your encouragement and comments on my blog, I really appreciate your friendship.
DeleteA nice bouquet of wild flowers are just the thing for a wintry day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ms. Sparrow, so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteI hope I've never hurt you, dear Linda..., and I never will... !
ReplyDeleteLie(f)s.
Hi Lies, you are sweet. No, you have never hurt me, my good friend. :)
DeleteI agree with you about people who use a good vehicle for bad. My reasons for my blog are to connect with out-of-town family and friends - - and you blogger friends are the bonus that came with my blog!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your Blog I get the feeling that you are a kind, peaceful person with a beautiful heart.
ReplyDelete