Alright people, I have something to get off my chest here. Most of you who have been following me know that I am a pretty positive guy. In fact, one of the reasons that I started this blog was because all I see is negativity out there. Whether it’s the media, social media, or the internet, there is just too much negativity. Well, I woke up the other day and I saw something that legit pissed me off! Don’t worry, there is a happy ending; kind of.
Here is the post that started an exchange the exemplifies some of the nonsense that is out there trying to drag good people down.
Ok, I know that you read it, but really read closely. Did it offend you in any way? I hope not. This is a very good person who is simply sharing that they struggle with getting their exercise in on Mondays. Mondays suck, right? I can relate and I bet you can too. But hey, they went out there and knocked out their run! Yay! Good for them. Well, a couple of Bozo’s had to reply this way: “Good but stop swearing.” And “Yes, stop swearing.”
Man, this chaps my rear! First of all, the post is cleaner than what you hear and see on broadcast television! Hell, and damn offended you? Really? You better stay off the internet and while you’re at it, don’t leave your house! In fact, both of those words are in the Bible. But ok, everyone is different. If you read that and didn’t like it, simply stop reading it. No one is forcing you to read it. Why comment? Leave people alone and move on your merry way.
The person who posted this responded in a very intelligent and thoughtful way, but before I share that, I would like to say that every interaction that we have is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to help lift up another human being and maybe make their day a little better or in some cases you may actually help change someone’s life through your empathy and encouragement.
I am in no way condoning that any of us should simply write or say things that are completely filthy or laced with gratuitous profanity, but let’s be reasonable and allow for people to express themselves. And instead of looking for opportunities to criticize, critique, humiliate, taunt, tease, harass, and whatever other negative action the internet freely allows, let’s look for opportunities to help, encourage, support, mentor, coach, and interact in a positive way.
Here is the response to the offended parties.
Brilliant. You can see my quip at the bottom. Hey, if the worst thing that happens to you today is that you read a post on the internet with the words hell and damn in it, you are probably having a better day than 99.9% of the rest of the world. Poverty, murder, war, hunger, etc. and THIS is what someone took the time out of their day to comment on. Sheesh!
Remember, if you don’t like what someone is saying, you don’t have to listen or continue reading. And if you are feeling the urge to criticize or be negative in some way, don’t. You’ll be better for it and so will the other person. And maybe, just maybe, if you took the time to be positive, you would spread some love in to the world and make it a little bit better place. Peace. Joe the Runner
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This rant above, I think is something that’s long over due, I have seen people just starting out on their fitness journey full of positivity full of hope, I almost want to say with stars in their eyes taking on and making that change in their lives towards a better way of living from a health and fitness point of view. People seem to forget that sometimes at this tender stage when someone starts out for the very first time they are very self conscious and potentially a bit fragile because of the major steps they are taking out of their comfort zone. I have seen new members posting their successes and seen negative comments posted on theirs posts, and shortly thereafter I never see that new member again,,,,,, It does not take a clever person to figure out what that new member must have done after reading comments laced with negativity. Now imagine giving that same person positive feedback, cheering that person on regardless the small increment of success they achieve each day. Imagine what great warm inviting feeling that must be to a person just starting out. It sets a foundation where he/she feels comfortable, feels safe, feels accountable, truly wanting to better their goals each day. I’m relentless in my support of others, I was lucky enough to receive great support from a select group of people when I started out. I can truly attest to the major impact this positive support had on me especially in the initial stages of my fitness journey when thing were particularly hard.
Just a simple “awesome well done” can light that fire in someone’s heart to really make that lifestyle change a permanent one.
You rock Joe, keep it coming.
Kind regards.
Herman, once again, I am always humbled by your gratitude. Thank you for that. I think your message is on point and I know from personal experience that it is very difficult to start this fitness journey, weight loss journey, quit smoking, battle depression, etc. The world is so quick to judge and criticize, but what people need is support and understanding. Once they have that, you can shift to education. I never want to see anyone quit trying to improve themselves, it’s good for them and it’s good for us as well. When you knock someone down, your hurting everyone else too. Peace… Joe the Runner
I’m glad that you took the time to write about this topic. I find that the negativity in this world gets overlooked or it does get looked at and no one stands up to say something back. I would have said something back to the responders too. I mean. Seriously. Get real!!!!! Especially on the topic: running! We all want to strive to get healthy. Get fit. Lose weight. Whatever it is… we all have the same vision and goals. So… with that said, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say nothing at all! Lol. Yes.. I have kids! Some people need to be talked to like we talk to our children.
Nicole, if more people acted like my kids, the world would be a better place! I have their mother to thank for that. But think about it, what do we teach children? Don’t take stuff that’s not yours, treat people how you want to be treated, share, be nice. Hell, if adults did just that, we may have solved all of the issues out there!
Admittedly I felt empowered when I watched the David Goggins video you sent me- like I suddenly had permission to use the colorful language in my head 🙂 For many years I was vigilant about “mindful speech”, but as a linguist, I realized that sometimes we give words too much credit for offending us when really it’s just our own fragile sensibilities running amok— they’re just f***ing words 😉
Thanks again Joe for a great post!
Ara, as long as I live, I will never forget that txt from your 50k: “6 hrs out the window. Having a puke fest. But I’m finishing this f%*#er!” I’m not sure there is another word that would have applied! AND, you did finish that F%*#er!
Joe, as always you are positive, insightful and witty. I agree that we all need to uplift people especially someone who is struggling. Personally the Fitbit fam and all the positivity is what is helping me stay motivated this time around. Without that I would be flailing in the dark. I’m happy to say you were one of the first people I befriended on Fitbit and I’m proud to do so!
Marissa, I am very thankful for your comment and grateful that I have the opportunity to provide support to people just like you and me via this blog and my interactions via social media. I believe that if we can simply try and make the world a little better one interaction at a time, we can overcome all of the negativity. I’m not naive, but I know that my life is too short to waste with hate and judgement. Let me know if I can help in any way. PEACE Joe the Runner