LET'S CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCES!

"Your unfathomable stupidity astounds me!"

The above, a word for word comment on someone's post on Facebook prompted this article. Social media is largely a fantastic tool for connecting with friends and acquaintances and people from all over the world. 

You get to hear from them, get to understand them, their lives, their opinions, their likes and dislikes, their achievements, their ambitions, feelings, thoughts, their goals and so much more. Social media plays a very important part in our lives, with people venting out their anxieties and opinions freely. For most it's a mood enhancer and coping mechanism and for some it's an addiction which can lead to depression and lowered self esteem. 

However, for most, social media gives opportunities to learn, gain knowledge, insights and entertain us. People's lives highlighted in their posts can motivate us, inspire us and help us to make our lives better. A spark of envy, resentment, fear or even rage is but natural - only if these feelings are accepted and tamed by us at our own personal level.

Whatever be the case, social media affects people differently, depending on pre-existing circumstances, personalities, and thought patterns.

The beauty of social media is that users feel free and comfortable expressing themselves online. Many friends and acquaintances share their daily activities and goals, accomplishments, political views, world news and entertaining stories or videos. 

But when social media becomes a platform for airing hate and resentment, it takes on a new meaning. There's no denying that each one of us has our own perspectives, stemming from the environment we have grown up in and situations we have been exposed to. That's what makes us unique with differing voices and perceptions. 

"Every day we have plenty of opportunities to get angry, stressed or offended. But what you’re doing when you indulge these negative emotions is giving something outside yourself power over your happiness. You can choose to not let little things upset you.” – Joel Osteen

But more and more, I see many venting out, starting arguments, bashing people who don't agree with them, blocking those who challenge them, and remember the stupidity comment - calling each other names.

So, just as you expressed your viewpoint on a particular topic, be it may personal or something the whole world is going through, the "friend" felt free to express his or her own, as a comment or even as a separate post. The "friend" didn't think you were right so there you are caught up in a skirmish trying to prove him or her wrong. The next step of course is to block the said person or even unfriend the "friend".

No two individuals are alike and therefore, conflict is inevitable. Politics is one such topic which gives rise to many such quarrels. Just because he or she doesn't agree with you does not in any way mean we give into negativity and spread it around. Express your feelings and then let others do it too. Remember being open to the world makes you vulnerable and you should be able to handle what comes with it. 

Some years ago I was told about a couple who pitied me for the articles I wrote. They thought I needed help because I wrote primarily about negativity. Yes, it hurt - badly in fact but I didn't think it my place to confront them. That was their opinion and I needed to learn from it and reflect on what I wrote. Everyone has the right to their opinions and the right to share those opinions. Just as we have the right to listen to those opinions and give our views. But in the process let's not make it a fight for what we think is right or wrong. Your right maybe someone's wrong and your wrong may be someone's right.

Very recently I read a post saying that this difficult time is bound to teach us to be happy, grateful for stuff we normally take for granted, ground us, and be more compassionate. 

Well, indeed I hope that happens. While the world is caught in the grip of the corona virus and we are all staying safe at home let's not take this valuable time to prove our points and wrangle with each other. Let's celebrate our differences and be kind and generous. Live and let live! 

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences. I believe that we are here for each other, not against each other."

Audre Lorde