I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I love to look and see what people post (and take a lot of it with a grain of salt). I hate when people use it as an excuse to simply be mean. I read an off-putting comment recently on a photo post. The photo was beautiful and celebratory and uplifting.

The comment suggested that the person who posted the photograph had isolated themselves from the “real world" and work that had to be done to make our world better.

This exchange got me thinking, what business is it of anyone’s how we show up and express in the world?

The truth is, the commenter is entitled to their own opinion. However, I believe we should keep our opinions to ourselves unless they encourage positive action (not shame anyone into submission).

So — as the quote above says, “what other people think of you is none of your business.” Conversely, “what we think of other people is none of their business.” So we might do well to keep it to ourselves.

The other part of the truth is, the photograph doesn’t indicate that the poster is isolated from the real world, and the real work. I happen to know the person who posted the photograph very well — and it is someone who is deeply understanding of and active in the work to be done to make this a world that works for everyone.

I don’t think any of us intends to be mean, yet the social media world has skewed our sense of compassion a little. At least the comment I read came from someone who didn’t hide behind an alias.

Let’s work together to make the world a better place — compassion and civility are were we can start ourselves. When we show up in that manner we can expect the same returned. If we are faced with something else — we are the ones in charge of our reaction to it. I suggest we act from love and not take any of it personally.

I start today by standing up as LOVE!