Hello My Imaginary Friends,
Sometimes I forget my rule of not commenting on mean comments.
Someone commented on an ad for the Goat Story Mug on facebook and posted a video about how it was hipster crap.
I was mildly offended seeing as I’m really enjoying my mug. Yes, it’s a little hipster but it also really useful for a klutz like me. I’ve dropped more than my share of coffee cups with disastrous effects. I’ve dropped the Goat Mug several times now and it hasn’t even leaked. That’s pretty damn good for something that cost $25.
So of course the original poster’s reaction was to attack me and then his friend joined in. I think overall they called me fat, stupid, and compared me to a tv character I don’t know. It still hurt, despite being pretty lame. I was tempted to go all Cyrano on them but decided it was a bad idea.
If you really want to read it, it’s here. (Please don’t comment to defend me. They’re not worth it.)
It’s brought two things to mind. I wish Facebook had a way to declare that someone stole a photo. But more importantly it reminded me that it’s easy to hate.
Hate is easy
I’m just as guilty as anyone else of making a comment about Nickleback or something else that’s easy to hate.
It’s fun to pick on something and feel superior. It’s an easy joke and an easy boost to our self-worth. It’s also hurtful and mean.
It’s a great way to cover insecurities or fear.
Orlando
I don’t think I can talk about hate or fear this week without mentioning the Orlando Massacre.
It happened because of hate and hatefulness. Some say it’s a hate crime against the LGBTQ community and others say it’s a Terrorist attack against the US. It’s both. It’s also the act of a deeply deranged person who was filled with hate.
See, here’s the problem with hate, it eats at you and makes you the worst version of yourself. You hate and that makes you angry. The anger makes you hateful which makes those around you angry with or against you; either way it fuels the anger.
It’s easy to be angry and hateful. Much easier than trying to understand the loss, hurt, or pain. It’s easier to be consumed by hate than to be destroyed by sorrow.
Events like this are an opportunity for us to go towards hate or towards understanding. The true antithesis of hate is knowledge. When you can understand someone, you can at the very least feel some compassion.
When someone is being hateful and mean, it’s important to understand that it has more to do with them then it does you. That means that a lot of the hate you need to ignore. Get a hug from a friend or talk it out with someone who cares about you. 90% of the hate you won’t be able to change.
If it’s something you feel is important, however, then you need to talk about it. Know who you’re talking to and remember that not everyone is worth your time. Sometimes it’s better to cut the hate out of your life.
Take care,
Éric
I know this is not really your cup of tea, but I attended the end of the year “célébration” at the Tiny Dictator’s school, and the Deacon’s choice of reading and homily was particularly apt – for all of us to go out and be the light of the world. If we’re all working together in that direction, we can smother out the darkness.
(And for the record, I don’t see it as a uniquely religious message. Some of the worst examples of religion are in the front pews and some of the best aren’t even people of faith. I think it’s a pretty universal truth.)
I’m not big on religion but I do like the message of hope.
The homily is a good one and I agree.