It turns out that taking a break from Facebook was a good thing for me to choose. Here's a little of what I learned while I was on my break...
- I have too many battles to fight to keep fighting
them all. I need to let go of fighting against wearing a mask for the sake of my peace of mind. While I don't agree with mandating that people wear masks I will wear one. Do I believe it is saving my life from a virus...not so sure about
that..but yes I'll wear the mask even though I strongly believe it should
be a choice.
- I understand now why it is important not to be colorblind. I can be an advocate for my brothers and sisters with beautiful black skin and I can do that without supporting groups that don't support my personal values. (If you want to have some good info on what you can do to help understand and end race discrimination check out the videos at the end of the post. These were messages I was happy to hear.)
- All important lessons are best learned without yelling, shaming, guilting or arguing with others.
- It is very important that I show up in person or online authentically. Before my break from Facebook that was not happening. Sometimes we have to take a step back and reevaluate who we are and who we want to be.
When I left Facebook over 2 weeks ago I was ready to fight anyone and everyone. My strong emotions were kindled at a moments notice and my spirit was stirred up to contention. I was feeling like there was a narrative that people who "get it" (insert whatever issue you want) need to make those who don't "get it" understand. We all come from different places and different understandings and belief systems. Your example will do a lot more to create change than your ability to lecture or argue your beliefs!
We need to be asking ourselves if we are showing up the ways that we want to show up? Are we speaking out against racial injustice because we love those of other races and want to help others learn how to better love one another or are we "fixing" and "educating" those who we feel are wrong? Are we telling friends and family to wear masks because we genuinely love people and want to protect them or because we want to control them? I'm not trying to tell others how to show up. I'm not asking anyone to take a "side" or be someone you are not. I'm asking others to consider if you are showing up as your best self? Are you getting caught up in a version of yourself that you do not like and you would not normally choose?
Taking a step back has helped me realize that the best way to help others is to love them right where they are. We are most effective when we calmly and peacefully help others from a place of love. If you are not filled with love then what are you filled with?
In
Alma 38:12 it says, "Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see
that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that
ye refrain from idleness."
How many times in the last four and a half months have we been overbearing? How many times have we bridled our passions? Are we filled with love as we fight to be heard on social media? We are asked to refrain from idleness so I don't think we are supposed to just sit and take all the backlash. I do think that we need to take a moment to think about how and why we are responding to posts and comments. We could all take a moment to pause before casting stones at those who do not think as we do.
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