Be positive when posting…

What would happen if, for just one day, everyone in the world would use nothing but kind words of encouragement, promoting hope, harmony and peace and perhaps even change, only in a positive way? On this same date two years ago I was blasted by several individuals on social media in response to a blog I posted referring to Christopher Columbus discovering America and having courage to cross the ocean – and how I could relate to feeling bold and adventurous, yet also a little nervous in embarking on my author career, just like I feel every time I dive into the ocean and swim in October (which I did again this past weekend – and as always it’s a little bit colder than summer but still a joyful and exhilarating experience!) These individuals called me all kinds of nasty names asking how dare I talk about Columbus in a positive way when (they said) he was a rapist and murderer. (Of course I didn’t know any of that nor have I done any research to deny or confirm it since it was just a post about being courageous.) I was appalled at their language, felt hurt by their comments and quickly deleted them – and left my blog as is. But it gave me pause today as I remembered it as if it happened today.

I think there is a time and place for taking a stand and social media usually isn’t the best venue…and certainly not doing so with harsh, ugly or mean words against others. I believe most of the time it’s best, as our mothers used to say, that “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” Or perhaps if you feel the absolute need to stand up for something, do so with positive, kind verbiage versus negative language that can put down another person or people, leaving harm in its wake. Or as St. Paul wisely said in his letter to the Philippians (read at yesterday’s Mass): “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…Then the God of peace will be with you.”

I think St. Paul would have told us today let the President and the government govern, don’t go looking for or stirring up trouble or causing drama or chaos, be kind and pray to God (not spout off on social media). And then you will have peace.  And so might others!