I'm here to declare that we're going through a pandemic. Not the one that we already know about, but another one, an unseen and more disguised and sly one. My fellow human beings, this secretive illness has nothing to do with physical health. It has everything to do with emotional and mental health. I would say that it began when the pandemic did and the madness of the world came out into the open, but no, this illness has been creeping in for some time, even years before COVID existed. A variety of terminology is used to describe it, but even with the various descriptions and names, it all comes down to the same things: hate and unkindness.
It comes in many forms, and as good as social media can be with keeping connected with people and meeting new ones who share interests, it has also become a powerful tool for trolls and bullies. We can't blame social media alone, though. All too many times, I've seen people I've cared about becoming victims of this illness through other means. One close example I've witnessed has and is going through this. I've seen the malicious social media acts that threatened this person's employment. I've seen the struggles of a close relation trying to overcome a mistake and having to deal with false accusations from the same people who could have been the most supportive in helping the person bounce back from that mistake. It's so frustrating to see the pain and know that there is little power in my hands to help, with the exception of trying to be that support that is so much needed. It's a scary thing, having to exercise the faith and trust that things will work out in the end. By another experience I've learned that it does eventually move on, but the process of going through it is so difficult, and I could see why this would cause major depression in people.
The biggest issues I have with social media is the intolerable amount of rudeness, cruelty, unkindness, and hatred--in general any emotion that emits negativity. I've seen how these things hurt people. It's this type of behavior that is the basis behind why I'm a big promoter of kindness and respect. I'm not always great at it myself, but I certainly don't want to represent the ugliness I've seen going on out there. No one knows what another person is struggling with.
I used to be reprimanded, because I never spoke my mind. Perhaps I needed to communicate better, but it never hurts and is often beneficial to have some self control once in a while withholding those words, or perhaps catching that thought in its tracks before it's acted upon. I know a lot of people claim throwing it all out there makes them feel better, but as much as this may be the case, was it in the best interest of other involved individuals? Humans are a communal race whether we like it or not. We naturally rely on each other to make things work out. Even the introverted of introverts needs a person in their lives once in a while. The world would be stronger and significantly improved if we were more willing to support one another.
I know there's that one bad apple; however, most of us are capable of being a better person when there's a positive supportive force behind us. What we say to others does matter. What we do to people matters. It all matters whether we know the person well or not, or whether can see that person's face or not. There's no situational exception on how we should be treating people.
May we all be a little kinder and more respectful toward each other. I'm certainly thankful for those who have done that for me. Let's make an effort to weaken this pandemic. Let's make the world a better place.
*Steps off soapbox
