At the UACTT conference, our keynote speaker was a gentleman named Michael Littig. Throughout the past year I had an email correspondence with him as I planned the conference. Never in my life had I encountered such positivity through an email. He ended each email with sending love from somewhere in the world. (He is involved with the Great Globe Foundation which brings arts all over the globe. You should check out the website: http://greatglobefoundation.org/ ) When I met him and listened to his keynote- what struck me the most was his giving and idealistic spirit. I thought- I need to be more like that. I want to be a force for good and positivity and community and understanding. He talked a lot about this idea of community. Who is in your community? Who are your mentors? Who are your peers? And so forth.
I started thinking about the different communities of which I am a part. The obvious workplace, family, friends, etc... but then I started thinking about the Facebook community. Here is a place where people can post whatever the squirrel they want without seeing the consequences. Sure they see the consequences in written form- but they can never understand the scope of what words can do to a person in real life.
Thumper makes it all seem so simplistic- but it's much more complicated than that. What about standing up for what we believe? What about letting our opinions be heard? FREE SPEECH! FREE SPEECH!! Truth be told- this kind of thinking on the Facebook exhausts me. I value people's opinions, beliefs and points of view. But, far, far too often people shame others (intentionally or not) for not thinking EXACTLY like them. Putting down others whose journey has been different. Shouting they have the market on what is true and what is not and anyone who thinks differently is a complete and utter ignorant fool. I think there is a way to state our opinions and beliefs without coming across as attacking.
All it takes is switching an approach and being open to the fact, that maybe, just maybe someone else feels they are just as right as you even though it is directly against what you have come to know as truth. Of course there are basic moral tenets of society that we all should be defending regardless of personal belief. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about a difference in lifestyle, religious belief, etc... Because at the end of the day- are we all not just people trying to figure it all out?
I have a friend from high school who is a transgender woman. I will be the first to admit I have no idea or comprehension as to what that means. I don't understand and it makes no sense to my brain. However, it is not my experience to have- it is hers. Her best friend could be described as polar opposite. I recently read her account on Facebook commenting on their friendship: They were asked, "So how do you guys deal with the fact that you have different feelings about things like gay marriage and stuff?" (I'm paraphrasing, forgive me) To which I said, "Our friendship isn't affected by things like that because we don't let it. There are so many more important things in life than to get hung up on issues that could never have any bearing on who we are as friends." I am so grateful that my best friend and I are still just as best friendish now as we have always been; our high school years on stage together and in class, our early adult years as we held each other up through heartbreak, laughed at one another during times of experimentation, and in recent years, completely stood behind the other as we stepped firmly into our current adult identities. She is the a magnificent mother of 4 (soon to be 5), a dutiful daughter and the loving and committed wife of a new bishop. She is so practical and inventive and I daresay could sew anything she could ever want. There were times when I have envied her, but those feeling fade instantly when I remember what an amazing best friend she has always been to me." To which her friend replied, " I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you. I'd never trade that for anything. You were there for me through some of my darkest times and never questioned why when I decided to go back to church and completely change my lifestyle. I lost a lot of "friends" when I did that. It's the people who stick it out with you through the most trying times that are the truest friends. Thank you for everything. I love you forever and ever!"
THAT- my friends, is what it's all about!
So why is my blog post titled, "Be Inspiring"? Because that's my challenge to each of you.
-Be Inspiring in your interactions with others: Another thing that struck me about Michael was how he made others feel. When I thanked him for coming to the conference he acknowledged my thanks but in turn thanked me. He tells others how they inspire him. It was interesting to watch the affect of community and inspiration had on our conference attendees.
-Be Inspiring online: Carefully evaluate how you put information out there. It's fine to have your opinions, but are they laced with hate and venom toward those who have different thoughts?
-Be Inspiring with Yourself: We all have a different path. Follow what is true to you. But try to avoid putting down those who do not share your path. They are on their own path and even though their path is incomprehensible to you. It is THEIR path- you cannot understand what that means or why they are there- all you can do is honor their path and give value to their experiences.
-Be Inspiring with the world: Everyday we send out messages to the world. We send out energy to the world. What are you sending?
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