BE KIND.

JUNE 12, 2020

As I continue to learn and listen, I think the most valuable thing we can do for one another is to be KIND and RESPECTFUL.

I’ve always tried to treat everyone with kindness, but I will fully admit I haven’t always been the kindest or respectful behind the keyboard. I’ve probably called someone an idiot or stupid for an opinion I didn’t agree with. It’s easier to do that to a stranger from behind a computer/phone screen.

Sadly, it’s even easier to behave this way IN person to the people we are closest to.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve encountered many conversations with differing opinions. Instead of trying to force someone to agree with my opinion, I’ve listened to theirs, spoke mine, and then if it’s going nowhere agreed to disagree and moved on. I even politely called one stranger out because they started each conversation with me online with labels regarding their assumption of my intelligence all because our opinions didn’t align. I think instead of taking offence and name calling back, my respectful approach, despite not receiving it, was more accepted by this person. They actually responded back thanking me for my response and saying it made them think twice about approaching conversations online with kindness.

Look, we aren’t going to share the same opinions, the world is a large place. Let’s just try and listen to people instead of trying to “talk” over them with our own opinion. Let’s have respectful conversations regardless of our opinions.

No name calling.

No telling people to shut up.

No labeling people.

If the conversation is truly going nowhere and the other person continues to disrespect, disengage in it. And, guess what, there’s a block feature for a reason.

It can be tricky, we all have our lines in the sand for when kindness does not apply, that’ll be different for everyone. For me that’s definitely racism, violence against anyone, discrimination, hateful speech or words, bullying. We all saw I was very vocal this week about Jessica Mulroney’s behaviour, I completely disagreed and was disgusted in it. However, I carefully picked my words to voice my opinion on it. It’s like when you have conversations in person, if you get heated and start yelling, the other person is going to tune out. If you resort to profanities and disrespect online, people are going to tune out and miss the real points. People won’t bother to listen if you respond back to hate with hate, or respond back to disrespect with more disrespect. Again though, this is my personal opinion and yours could be completely different on how you choose to respond to the things you do not tolerate.

With that being said, I thank you if you took the time to read this.

I hope you are staying safe and healthy, and I wish you a good weekend!