Kindness is Playing Nicely on Social Media

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It is my hope that my community and I are different as a result of this 31 Day Series.

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You’ve probably noticed that some spots on social media are a hotbed of negativity. There is name-calling, slander, arrogant arguments, and perpetual doom-and-gloom. All this goes on to prove that someONE is right and that someONE else is wrong. There is no true listening.

I am wearied by this. How are you feeling?

There are people I follow on social media who fall into the above category. Here is my $0.02 worth. Social media is not the place for negativity and the other actions associated with it.

I also believe, if it’s your space, you and I have the right to say whatever we want. This space is our home, albeit a virtual one. Just like I wouldn’t come to the doorstep of your physical home and start abusive arguments, let’s not do the same to people’s virtual homes.

If I don’t like what you said, I am going to pass on by, without comment. I hope you do the same. If I want to truly dialogue about the issue, I will contact you. Discussing the issue in person is even better. There can be so much misunderstanding when communicating through written words.

People who leave hit-and-run negative comments aren’t interested in educating. People who linger on negative postings, aren’t interested in educating. They are interested in expressing THEIR point-of-view and having you agree with them. These types of comments never lead to a change of mind. They lead to more negativity. Want to change a mind? Pick up the phone and arrange a time to discuss (passionately is fine) your concern.

I propose that we start a kindness revolution on social media. Instead of looking for the wrong in people’s lives, viewpoints, and words, let’s look for the exemplary, positive, and education in what they post. Let’s extend grace and give each other the benefit of the doubt. Let’s leave comments that uplift, praise and point to unity.

 I am going to do this intentional act of kindness. In honour of my birthday, I want to leave 60 positive and unifying comments this week.

Your Turn . . .

• Are negative comments effective? I’m not going to ask for a show of hands, but, has there been a time when you’ve left a comment with the intent of expressing disapproval? How did that work out?  .
• Do you want to help a friend see their error? Have you ever read something a friend posted and you thought, “Wow, that’s wrong”? Did you contact them to talk about it? How did that go? . . . I have contacted someone, and it was resolved.  . . . I have been contacted and it was resolved. In fact, I was grateful the pair wanted to discuss this. I was in error and I grew from this dialogue. I felt their love. . . . I have been blasted on social media and it ruined a 35 year+ friendship. If I had to do it over again, I would call the person instead of responding in words, even though she attacked me on my space. Maybe we could have agreed to disagree.
• Will you join me in this act of kindness? Leave some positive comments wherever you are on social media this week. And you don’t have to do 60.

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

My Landing Page for This series . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure.  Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Painting Kindness Rocks

Related FruitfulWords Posts . . .   Now These Are Fruitful Words . . . What If The Wholesome Words Were Bleeped?

Karrilee Aggett is part of #Write31Days2018. She is writing on Becoming Queen of Giving the Benefit of the Doubt – All of the posts in this 31 days series, reinforce the idea of playing nicely on social media.  Go read all the posts. Below is one such section.

” . . . but if we have been willing to be kind, to believe the best, to focus on the positive, to ask questions and actually hear their responses, to try to understand where they are coming from or why they did or said what they did… we all have the chance to grow! (from Day 5)

Previous #Write31Days Topics

• MORE vs less: 31 Days of Decluttering 2017
• Finding Laughter: 31 Days of Writing 2015 – Landing Page
• 31 Days of Finishing 2014: Table of Contents & What it is About

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.