Have you ever sent a chain email along? I usually don’t send too many along as my thought on email is more of a letter than something not very personal, but I do receive them. My blog on the other hand is another story. I feel more comfortable posting stories as it is a place people want to read. Well recently I posted a story that I just found interesting. It was something I read, quickly, and just said hummm. I posted it out there in my nice friendly blogging world where I have fun talking with other people. Some people read this story as I did but others took it as some kind of statement and ran, as my brother would say, like a heard of screaming turtles.
I decided to remove the story as it was not something I felt passionate about and I felt like it could misrepresent who I am. This however is not to say that I mind people disagreeing with me. I just want it to be done with something that I have a real opinion about and not a little story that was just there. I was also no longer enjoying my little blog world.
This is what I learned:
- Be careful what you put out there. “Be slow to speak” or type in this case. I will try to make sure what I put out there really comes from my heart.
- Don’t judge others to quick with their words. Sometimes people just talk (type) don’t jump on a bandwagon (sorry) as you really don’t know people from just a few words. Get to know someone. I read a blog where the Mom had a bad day and just wanted to write about it. Others became very concerned (which is really sweet in this case) but it was just a bad day…that’s all! Blogging is just a quick way to express yourself at times.
- My blogging world may not be as friendly and safe as I thought
I would like to add my two cents for when you do want to post a comment to someone.
- Please make sure that you give the person the benefit of the doubt.
- If you are inclined, pray before you send something out that God may guide your words in a kind and loving manner.
I do appreciate other points of view so I hope this will never discourage anyone from that. I do hope comments are done with respect, but I know people will not always agree with me. I just wanted to make sure my blog reflects who I am.
Blessings,
Debbie aka The Real World Martha
November 3, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Good advice. Sometimes I disagree with the blogger and his post and post something I later regret.
I usually go through my posts, and ask myself what was I thinking when I posted that, that was just a stupid rant of mine at the time or that is just not interesting any more,if it was at all. Fortunately the post is removable, but the comments are more difficult.
November 3, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Debbie, I am so sorry this happened. I truly don’t understand what motivates people to leave ugly comments on blogs. If you don’t agree with someone, just stop going to their blog for goodness sake! You don’t have to tear them down just because they don’t think exactly like you do!!
I frequently visit a blog where there is a two year old fighting for her life. Her parents are unbelievably wonderful and long-suffering, yet, they constantly get terrible comments on their blog. It is beyond comprehension to me, the way some people think they know it all.
By the way, I think I know which of your posts you removed, and I just do NOT see the controversy. I didn’t see the comments that were left, but I don’t understand what they’d have a problem with at all! Don’t feel badly, I don’t think you were out of line in the least. It was a subject I’ve seen talked about on many blogs the past couple of weeks, not just yours.
Hope you are having a great weekend!!
November 13, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I’m sorry that you’ve had this experience. People can be very mean…and for what reason? I’m new to the blogging world, so I haven’t experienced this for myself. I read the blog for No Impact Man ( http://www.noimpactman.typepad.com/ ) and I’ve read some very mean comments that people have left. Here’s a person changing his entire lifestyle for a year in order to better our environment. What is there to criticize? It’s the same for you. You’re just putting information out there for people to read and ponder, yet some just take it a different (wrong) way.