We often times seem so quick to speak negatively about something or someone when we each know that is the furthest thing from productive as we could be. What are we attempting to accomplish by doing this? I don’t think there is a good answer to that question.
There are, however, numerous reasons to not “talk shit”, the most important of which is that it is an utter waste of time and does nothing but drag the “shit talker” down as well. On the other hand though, imagine if we decided to help, figure out, solve, listen, or research rather than be negative?
I think about the people I have spoken negatively of in my life and to be honest, I wish I handled those situations differently. What if I had taken the time to get to know them? Well, nine times out of ten I am sure I would have walked away with a huge understanding and quite possibly a new friend. The flip side is, I find out we don’t like each other but at least I was productive in that I spent that time in a more valuable manner and gave that human being a chance.
You see…one thing I have become increasingly more aware of is this…we are all here, right now, together, experiencing life’s journey. We have come into contact with one another, we have the opportunity to be important to people, we have the possibility of making someone else’s journey better…holy crap, that is such an amazing concept. STOP…slow down, take a deep breath and listen…YOU have the ability to make someone else’s journey on this Earth better, to impact…positively or negatively.
You can be the bully, or the defender of the bullied. You can be the change or the owner of the status quo. You can help build, or be part of the demolition crew. You can give the gift of a smile or be the thief that steals a smile from someone. You can help lift or sit back and watch someone struggle. You can open a door or close it. You can help take care of the garden that feeds the village or simply be the consumer of that garden.
In the smallest of moments, we can have impact…we can create and build. Often times we do so without even knowing it. Acknowledging people, smiling, saying hello, saying thank you…these seemingly insignificant things have impact! How do you feel when someone acknowledges you by smiling and asking how your day was? How do you feel when someone says something as little as “good job”?
It becomes far too easy to not extend ourselves…I’m too busy, someone else will take care of it. I call bullshit! You, me…we are here, and we are presented with opportunities every single day to do something…anything. We need to stop looking the other way, and that starts with stopping the shit talking. I know we’re human, negative things are going to come out…but the point is this, try to contain it, try to cut yourself off…change your perspective, move, literally change your point of view. Don’t just look at the front wine label, look at the back label, the bottom, the foil cap…everything, and have enough respect for others to do the same. Change the negative talk into motivation to help, learn about someone, and get involved.
Live life to the fullest, and the only way that can truly be done is through HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS!
I’m a believer Matt. But sometimes it happens, some poor sap tosses something in your path that makes you step back and say WOW, what’s up with that? I have never had a negative experience with Twitter until recently. Someone that many of us are connected to sent a DM to me in response to a message I had left about the time Tom passed away. My message had been quick and to the point as you yourself know, I sent out a few around that time period to those of you who cared enough to ask about him during his illness. I haven’t seen this connection on any of the social media sites for a while and unfortunately with so much going on…out of sight, out of mind. Anyway, long story short, the DM message was something to the effect: Get a life, don’t care… never did. And then it went on to get personal baffled me. I haven’t lost any sleep since I received it, but reading your post here does lead me to question just who is being sincere and who is just wasting everyone’s time so to speak. In the end, it makes absolutely no difference in my life how this person feels about me or my husband passing away from cancer. I figure what goes around comes around and in the end if you treat people with disrespect then unhappiness will find it’s way into your soul. Or maybe it already has in this case, not sure. But as you said, in the smallest of moments you can have impact…and so it did, but not I’m sure in the way it was intended when sent. Good post Matthew!
HI Cheri…first off, what a bummer that this person reacted that way via DM, doesn’t make sense. To your point, when these “poor saps” toss something in our way it becomes our choice on how we react to and handle the situation. As you would agree, I firmly believe we need to remind ourselves to always take the high road…although, as humans that can be difficult, but at least attempting to be positive will most certainly better the situation.
I always appreciate your comments Cheri, and I will apologize for the ignorant one that behaved that way toward you! Cheers to you!!