Friday 9 January 2015

Be kind. Always

This post has been inspired by some instagram posts I've seen recently.

"If you haven't got anything nice to say - don't say anything at all" sound familiar? I was brought up on this piece of advice along with "live and let live".

I am the first to say I can be opinionated, I know myself, I know what I am. But I like to think I give my opinion without making others feel bad about themselves.

This week, a lady I follow (whose posts I love seeing - she's bubbly, funny and informative) had some 'keyboard warriors' people left unkind comments on her page.

I was speaking to someone at work this week and said "see you this afternoon" her reply was "I'm at a funeral this afternoon, I won't be here".

My point is... Every one on this planet are fighting their own battles, forging their own survival. Who are we to judge that person when we have not stepped into their shoes? We know not of their daily demons.
To leave a nasty, thoughtless comment on someone's status or photo on social media is rude, upsetting and downright unnecessary. The phrase "if you don't like it, don't look" springs to mind.

Some aspects of people's lives are laid out by them, for many to see. That doesn't give anyone the right to negatively comment on these parts. And guaranteed, however often the person posts information, there are bits of their lives you don't and won't see.
Maybe they've suffered loss, or pain in their lives. You probably have too, whoever is reading this. It might not have been recent, it may well be something you've been harbouring for a while. We must all remember this before we speak to and about, or judge others. "Treat others how you'd like to be treated".

Sometimes, during conversations, I get told nuggets of information on peoples' lives and feel honoured they've opened up to me. For some, just getting up, going to work, looking after their children - just generally playing that game called life, can be oh so difficult. They are putting every effort in just to go through these motions. You don't know this - you aren't really entitled to know this. But keep it in mind. So, be kind. Always.

Ian Maclaren quote