“Fire Bad, Tree Pretty”

Here is a pretty picture of a tree. I thought I would lead with a picture of a tree because those seem to get a lot of attention in the fall. Plus, there’s something about pretty trees that provides a calming effect. I’m sure we can all agree that everyone right now can use some calming. Take a deep breath and think about the crisp, refreshing air and the rustling leaves of the tree. Better?

Now, let’s get to the point. There have been a lot of thoughts on my mind lately, and as much as I have wanted to post them on social media, I have refrained from doing so. Posting there just insights drama. Plus, posting in the heat of the moment usually only stirs the pot instead of helping it. Also, I don’t want to increase the emotional overload that comes from “doom scrolling” as it just leads to feeling overwhelmed and disgruntled with the people you know. After a while, it overwhelms you so much that your brain takes a page from Buffy Summers in “Graduation Day Part 2,” and you’re left feeling like your most profound thought is “Fire bad, tree pretty.” I feel like I’m here when it comes to all the hate I currently see from people on social media.

So to get my mojo back, I’m doing a brain dump (one of my favorite mental health exercises) of things I wish people understood. Grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show!

1. I wish people would take time to do research instead of just posting stuff they assume is true because it is on social media. I started having this thought when I saw someone share a picture said to be depicting teaching children Satanistic practices when in reality it was a picture promoting a group with St Joseph as their patron saint. A quick Google search of news articles from the last four years and researching St Joseph could have cleared this up before getting a group of people riled up. However, this lesson can be applied to multiple areas. Learning how to research and how to learn are keys to success in life.
2. People who make blanket assumptions about people because they are or are not something are just as in the wrong as the people they are spreading assumptions about. I am a Christian. For me this means I worship one God, and I do my best to follow what Jesus preached which was to love one another, not judge, and seek forgiveness. In line with this, I am not going to judge anyone for their lifestyle or deny anyone basic human rights. In my opinion another’s choices are between them and God (or their deity). I say all this because there are a lot of posts right now bashing Christians for what a SMALL faction of us actually believe and practice. To lump all Christians together and say we all do or do not do something is hurtful to those of us who are just doing our best to live like Jesus asked. It’s perceived the same as comments like “You’re from X, so you must be Y and Z” or “You’re doing X so you must be Y.” Assumptions hurt, and while they may be created based on the actions of some, to lump everyone in the same category is wrong!
3. In regards to upcoming elections, people are so fired up about some amendments and questions on the ballots. I understand having your opinion on a matter, and I believe people should have their own opinions. However, am I the only one who thinks these topics are being brought forth with such vigor to distract from bigger problems? This one kind of ties back to doing research and examining data. For example, is it more pressing to vote a certain way or think, “Shouldn’t the continual being in the bottom percentage of X in the country be getting this level of passionate discussion?”
4. Places that have great potential also have to be willing to undergo great change. Diamonds come from coal undergoing A LOT of pressure. If you want something to be a diamond, then you have to be willing to go through and overcome a lot of obstacles. I’ve had a couple of experiences lately with things that could be diamonds, but are they willing to make changes? This same line of thinking has made me wonder if I could be a really good business consultant. I don’t want to manage day to day operations of anything, but I feel like I could give plans to help places move in the direction of becoming a diamond.
5. I’m tired of seeing articles about people who had something horrible happen to them because they were trying to take a picture to post on social media. I am sorry the horrible thing happened; however, if there wasn’t so much fame/infamy given to “social influencers” then the horrible thing may have never happened in the first place because the person wouldn’t have felt like they had to take a dangerous picture just to post it. Along this same thought, I think a discussion about mental health and social influence needs to be started. Perhaps it has been started, and I just need to do some research on the topic!

I’m sure that I could keep going, but my state has improved from “Fire Bad, Tree Pretty” with my brain dump. Thanks for indulging me!

This is a safe place, so if there is something you need to get off your mind, leave it in the comments!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby