Politeness

I think if you’ve paid attention you know I’m a positive person. I believe goodness overwhelms evil, kindness trumps cruelty, and beauty outweighs ugliness. I believe that what you give your attention to is what you give power to.

However, there comes a time that you must use your voice to speak up against that which you do not believe, or do not have faith in. I do believe that it comes down to how you use your voice, the words, the tones you choose when communicating with others that determines how your energy is perceived.

There are many who are content with the status quo. If you are one who is, please scroll on, this isn’t meant for you.

There were many who became very upset just a few short years ago. Upset with the direction the country, hell the world, was heading. There were angry words exchanged, negativity being batted back and forth over party lines. It quickly became worn, and old. Suddenly, some stopped voicing their opinions and speaking their minds for the sake of being more positive, not arguing with their neighbor.

I feel you can speak your mind without instigating. If you activate someone, their defensiveness, their anger, it isn’t necessarily your fault. It’s all about how you say what you need to say. Silence for the sake of politeness is as dangerous as looking the other way from that which is outrigtly, morally, socially, or, legally wrong.

Should you remain silent for fear of bringing forth emotion from someone else? How do you change anything without bringing forth emotion? Emotion is the proponent of change. Barring you use it effectively.

Emotion needs to be the driving force. It does not need to be a weapon, or the tool. It needs to be what you use to forge the tool of change. It is not offensive to speak up, speak out, when you see injustice and wrongdoing. Do not be malicious, do not name call, and for all of our sake’s, do not argue others opinions. Their argument, and yours, will consist of emotion clashing with emotion, and nothing more. Use what you feel and channel that into an outlet that will propel you, and what you stand for forward.

Right now, I am angry. My anger is mine to feel. I do not have to justify it to anyone. I do not have to defend it to anyone. My anger was instigated. It does not originate from someone saying how they feel. It comes from injustice, incompetence, hypocrisy, and lies. It comes from action inconsistent with the power bestowed.

I believe in all things good. However, I do not ignore reality. I believe in justice, fairness, equality, empathy, raising up those that need it, supporting those in need, and doing what’s right versus what brings personal glory. I believe in beauty, kindness, and random acts of both. It is happening in many places all over the world. People looking outside themselves, at what others need. People supporting artists over the internet, patronizing their local haunts on a take out only basis, looking out for their neighbor, buying digital books, sending money via PayPal to help those who are only hurting more than they were before.

This is where my energy, attention, and our money is going to the extent that we can. Despite that, I feel it is necessary to say that I am more angry in certain respects than I ever have been before.

The politeness remains, even though I know others feel the same. Maybe I cross some invisible line some have vowed to not step over. If silence can be loud, the silence is deafening. If words are not spoken, conversations not had, nothing will change.

Be courteous, thoughtful, and conscientious, but, please speak out. Speak out against that which you don’t believe in, or support. Even better, find the alternative and scream about it as loud as you can. That will ensure your energy goes into that which you want, not that which you don’t. Please though, don’t be quiet. Now is not the time. Go find your rainbow instead of standing silently in the rain. If you’re tired of weathering the storm someone else created, find the paths that lead you from under the cloud. Then stand there and show others, point the way out. Please though, don’t be afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, don’t be afraid to speak your truth, dont be afraid to stand for what you believe in, and certainly, don’t be so damn polite.