Spreading Hate

Sometimes, this thing called the Internet is awesome, and sometimes, this thing called the Internet really makes me angry.
It has become far to easy to sit behind a screen and spew hate, rage, and meanness.

Earlier this week, one of my favorite bloggers made a hard announcement. I have never met her, but we have emailed a few times, and I comment on her site daily. She is a runner, she is lightning fast, super positive, and seems like a great girl. Basically, I want to be best friends with her in real life. I have been reading her blog for years, and she inspires me, pushes me, and reminds me to look for the good in life. I don't think I have ever read her blog without smiling.

After she made her announcement, I was surfing the web, and stumbled across a site that mentioned her news, and as I scanned the comments, I found myself becoming more and more angry. There were some of the most vile, mean, and nasty comments. Commenter's were bashing her for things that had nothing to do with the news, they just bashed her personality. Then, they started talking about other blogs, and bashing some other healthy living women as well. The first few comments were nice, but all it took was one mean comment to start the snowball effect. People followed suit and negativity spread way too quickly.

What happened to the days of "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."

So often, we sit behind these screens, with our made up user names, and troll the Internet for things to comment on. When hiding behind a screen these people are brave, brazen, and let their dark side out.
They give into jealousy and envy, and show their true colors. Because so much of our internet activity is anonymous, there is little accountability.

There are blogs out there that I cannot stand, and rather than comment on their site, I just don't read them. I want to read blogs that inspire me, that make me laugh, make me cry, and make me better.

This week, I want to focus on spreading joy rather than negativity. Negativity can be triumphed by positivity.

Lets do something nice for someone. Comment on a blog, and say something nice. Pay for Starbucks for the guy in line behind you. Send a quick note to your grandmother letting her know you are thinking of her. Smile at a stranger. Help someone with their hands full. Just try and make someone smile this week.

Sail Away

Smiles

Laughter

Sunshine

Pool

Lake

Sail Boat

Inside Jokes

Delicious beverages

Long Talks

Long Walks

Long Drives

Swimming

Dogs

Memories

New Houses

Late dinners

Junk food

Shopping

Austin

Trail Runs

Sunsets

Sunrises

Peace

Happiness

Joy

This past weekend included all of these things and more. Recharged, refreshed, and ready to do it all again.