A Bone to Pick

Living in America is a great thing. We have some great things to be thankful for, and some awesome freedoms that most of the world doesn't have. Here we are in the greatest country in the world, and how? Hard-working people who know what it takes to be successful and not in just economic, monetary ways.

A few minutes ago I spent some time on Facebook, looking at what is happening in the lives of the people I care about -- friends and family. The more I use it lately, the more I hate it. While a lot of the time, I am just trolling around, looking at things and seeing how people are doing, sometimes, I am also guilty of posting a lot of random junk on that site. I'm noticing something that I strongly dislike, though. There's a new trend that we are posting lots of "funny" or "that's so true" moments in pictures that either belittle, insult, or degrade people, groups, or events.

Folks, I'm as guilty as some others at posting things I feel are either important or really funny, but we're starting to get to a point where I'm insulted in lieu of some of the insulted groups or people. For example, why is there a super-popular shared photo of a scantily-clad late-pregnancy woman with a caption of, "I'll bet she isn't smiling now." Or something to that effect. Is that supposed to be funny? And why are we still passing that around like that's something that everyone should see?

That's just one example. Some of those e-cards with messages about how men are dumb or how women are super-needy are super-offensive, too. You don't have to agree, but the last time I checked, those types of messages are extremely ineffective at changing people's minds. Ladies... you want your man to treat you like a queen? Don't be a jerk to him, either. There are a lot of guys that would bend over backwards to impress you... if you let him. Men... if you want to get a lady, don't be a complete jerk to her. Seriously... You should be trying to treat her well.

Ranting? Maybe. But I'm noticing more and more that people are turning super-selfish. It's all about me. Why can't I have what I want? How about the "flash mobs" that keep showing up in Wal-Mart stores in low-income areas and cleaning the place out? I mean, really? You just couldn't live without that T.V. enough that you had to bust into a store with sometimes hundreds of other people and leave with a very expensive piece of technology? Lame. If you are really that strapped, maybe you should consider your budget and cut back on other things and get your money in order so you can get the things you need and, in about a month or so, you'll have more than enough money for that T.V. you wanted.

Do you want to know just how powerful we can be as a human race? Reach out to people. Learn their story. It's impossible to hate someone whose story you know. Humans are capable of extreme abilities, talents, intellect, and possibly the most important, emotion. Rather than using those abilities and emotions to press for selfish, inward things, why don't we try using our love for good? With or without religion, people can do a lot of good in their homes, communities, and the world. Get off the internet for a while. Spend time with people you care about, look out for the people around you. Learn some new vocabulary words and stop swearing. I think you'll find that with an expanded vocabulary that you sounds more intelligent and people will understand what you're really trying to say in a clearer way.

Friends, behave. Be kind. Love each other. We're never going to make it through all this crazy stuff if we don't try to respect one another. You don't like a business point of view? Don't give them your money. That's what America is about -- you have a choice where to do your business. Don't like someone's opinion on a political matter? Make sure you have your own and respectfully disagree. Friendships should not be destroyed on a matter of opinion. If you've got faith in your life, develop it. Love God. Read His word. Live the way the scriptures teach. Even if you are not actively pursuing an active religious life, you will find that just by reading the scriptures, you change over time for the better. That's a promise.

Some of my ideas may be a little old-fashioned, but those things worked. Did you ever hear of a mass shooting at a school in the 30s or 40s? Were we in major economic crisis during the 1950s? Even if we were, people took care of each other. Now? We're taught to avoid strangers, belittle each other, ignoring people is common, love is cold. It's too bad, too. If people were willing to just show their love to each other a little more, this world would be a completely different place.