She Tried to Slap Me, But...

She was a friend. On Facebook. And a little more than an acquaintance in ‘real life.’ We’d had some respectful differences of opinion in the past. She leans to the left; I lean to the right. And, on some issues, we meet in the middle.

Today, I must have pushed her over the edge.

Here’s what happened.

I read an article on Facebook as I often do in the mornings before I get out of bed. It’s sort of a routine. Grab the phone, turn off the alarm, check the social media sites. Yeah, I’m a creature of habit. Someone had posted an article that I found interesting if a bit disturbing.  Although I’m not the most political person, as an American citizen, I feel a certain obligation to keep informed about what’s going on in my country, whether I agree with it or not.

I knew, from the content, if I reposted the article I would get some backlash. So, as I posted it, I added this disclaimer to my post: “This isn't a political post.  Just sharing something that I find disturbing from a former Secret Service agent.” I figured my Facebook friends, several of whom have differing yet intelligent opinions, might post a little response and I looked forward to reading their take on this. Little did I know that within minutes of posting, I would be severely judged.

How do you feel when you’ve been judged by someone? The thing is, we can’t control what others choose to think or feel; we can only control ourselves. So when I saw a private message within minutes of re-posting that article, I knew just how it felt to be judged unfairly.  This is the message I received: “I think it is time for me to unfriend you. I don't think I knew who you were in the past. The blatantly unChristian things that I have read with racist overtones have truly surprised me. I will pray for you.”

For anyone who truly knows me, you know that this does not paint an accurate picture of who I am. Yeah, I’m that gal that posts all the warm fuzzy stuff on your Facebook page. The one who wants to encourage other people to live above, not beneath, their circumstances. The one who quotes Rodney King, “Why can’t we all just get along?”

Ultimately, I’m a big girl. I can take it. Now, just 12 hours later, I found another post on my page. Not an article this time, but a quote. A quote that spoke to my heart: “No matter how good a person you are there will always be someone criticizing you.” It felt like validation. Must be a God-thing.

Yeah. You know I shared that one. (You can check out my Facebook page to be sure.)

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather choose to be content than let someone else’s opinion of me dictate who I truly am.  There will always be someone criticizing you. The best we can do, you and me, is to define our purpose and live it. It won’t make us perfect but it will help us be perfectly content in our own skin.

So next time when someone tries to verbally slap you in the face, take heart. Remember who you are and Whose you are. And live life happy.

And, if it helps, remember I’ve been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

 

Jean

Guest Blogger: Janet Harllee on Making a Difference, Your Way

Today, I welcome Janet Harllee, storyteller and entertainer, to share with you "Making a Difference, Your Way." Read on as she shares how you can make a difference, starting today. -Jean

St. Mother Teresa, Walter Cronkite, the 9/11 Heroes, Pat Tillman, Billy Graham, and all the

men and women who have served and who are currently serving our country.  The list can go

on and on of well-known people who have made a difference.  But you do not need to be well-

known or famous to make a difference. 

Recently, I spoke with several individuals and asked them who made a difference in their life

that has affected them.  Here are some of their comments…

  “My grandmother had a hard life.  She passed on to me that you have to work for what you really want.”

“I learned more about life from my aunt.  She was legally blind and deaf, but was always positive and felt blessed even with her challenges.”

“It’s friends who are always there when I need them.  Their life example is a blessing to me.”

“The way my supervisor did her work as a nurse, and how she encouraged her staff helped me to be a better supervisor.” 

“It was my 5^th grade teacher who told me that I should buckle down and work hard, and since I did not receive encouragement at home, what she said has always stayed with me.”

“My Mother told me to leave a place better than you found it, whether it’s cleaning a room, or talking with a person.  That has stuck with me and applies to anything I do.”

Robert Frost is quoted saying, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…I took the one less

traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Look through a different lens today.  Take notice of people and the opportunities of how

you can help them.  It is the little things in life that make the biggest difference.   A friend of

mine told me she went to her bank the other day.  A lady stopped her and said, “Thank you for

smiling.”  My friend spoke to the lady and found out that she lives alone, and was quite touched

that someone took the time to smile at her.   Let someone go in front of you at the grocery

store check-out, or wave a driver to turn in front of you. I know you are in the right, but you just

might be changing someone’s outlook for the day.

Working with seniors on a daily basis, I see how making a difference is in the simple things

like, a smile, or taking the time to sit down and listen to them.  It makes them feel special – and

they really are.  When you do something for someone else, it makes you feel better too. 

In today’s world of cell phones, texting, and computers, I hope we never get so impersonal

that we forget to make a difference in our home, our community, our church, our country. 

Readers, I hope you've enjoyed Janet's words of wisdom today! Be sure to check out her website at www.JanetHarllee.net. You'll be glad you did! -Jean

(Thanks, Janet, for sharing with us!)