A little while back, I was reminded of
something I've been meaning to write about for a while. It's somewhat
connected to my quest for peace, so I thought, “Why not?”
It has to do with mistaken impressions.
I had to giggle when more than a few friends on Facebook commented
that they were glad I had “calmed down” as a side effect of my
quest for inner peace.
Why is that so funny?
Well, folks, brace yourselves. Facebook
is probably the only place where I am not “calmed down.”
You see, in “real” life, I'm what
most people would call downright boring. Just the thought of me
needing to calm down is hysterical, in my opinion. But then, I know
me pretty well. At home, you'll mostly find me quietly puttering
around the house and garden.
The only reason it seems as if I have
calmed down to those who only interact with me on social media is
because they don't really know me. They only know what I post on
social media. And my causes are important to me. Passionately so.
But obviously, at home, I'm not posting
memes about my passions and beliefs. I'm just living according to
them. And since my passions and beliefs are largely peaceful ones
(doing no harm and such like) at home, I'm one of the calmest people
you'll ever come across.
Now, I'm not saying that the person I
am on Facebook and other social networks isn't me. I feel what
“social media me” feels. I share her beliefs. I practice what I
Facebook preach. She is a part of me. But there is so much more to
me than who I am when social media upsets me. And that's it right
there.
Social media is the only place where
I'm not calm, actually.
Oh, I'm no absolute saint at home,
either. I have my bad days. But for the most part, people in my “real
life” see me as quiet; shy even; an introvert of the highest
degree. Which I am.
So, when people tell me they're glad
I've calmed down, I just slap a smile on the outside and giggle to
myself on the inside. Because in “real life” the only way I could
be calmer is if I literally dropped dead.
I guess the lesson for me to take away
here is to not be so judgmental of people, especially if I only know
them on social media. Because being at peace with and accepting of
one's self also requires being at peace with and accepting of
others.
Who knew?
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