I suspect I’m not the only person
who has grown increasingly frustrated by the tone of much of social media. I think
I understand some of the causes of this situation: frustration, collapse of
social and human context, deep cultural and social divisions, etc.
I have come close to
disconnecting on many occasions and, during times like Lent, have often found
it helpful to take a social media fast (controversial though some have found that idea).
Almost everyone
experiences social media space as, by turns, informative, witty, anger-inducing
and depressing. That’s because it’s a human space; it does rather reflect us.
This Advent I want to
try something. Advent is one of two seasons (along with Lent) when Christians
have traditionally fasted, reflected and prepared for a great feast. Obviously,
Advent precedes Christmas.
In addition to my
usual practices – studying, reflecting, praying – I’m going to try something new (for me at least!)
on social media.
With every tweet and
post I want to offer something positive and hopeful. I want to build someone or
something up. I shall be using the hashtag #KindAdvent to focus this.
I’m not doing this
because I’m some sort of Panglossian fool or natural optimist. It’s just that rather
than instinctively do what I normally do – point out the negative, complain about a
situation, sound off, be an eeyore – I want to make a small, tiny offering. A gift
of kindness.
I can’t tell you how
counter-intuitive this is for me. I instinctively recoil at cheesy positivity;
I’d
rather be ironic or clever-clever.
However, in the crappy
world we find ourselves in, I sense that a discipline of kindness might not be
too ridiculous.
It won’t address deep injustice or stop a narcissistic president from
retweeting fascists, but it may change the tenor of a conversation. It may help
us look in a different direction – not so much that we ignore the deep issues, but we meet them with a different kind of solidarity.
#KindAdvent is, in the
first instance, something that I hope helps me focus on some richer seams of
life than the usual warzones and fractures that drive us.
It might be something
you want to have a go at too, whether you’re a person of faith or not. I'd welcome fellow fools to share the journey!
I think this is a brilliant idea. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteI pledge to do this. I hope I am given strength not to backslide...
Brilliant!! Let's hope we can keep to it!
DeleteSounds good. I'm in!
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea, I'm in. #KindAdvent
ReplyDeleteI found a new word in my reading last week - captious. I looked it up. That`s me. Time to stop. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAmazing word
DeleteI like this word too and will also do my best to offer #kindadvent to all. I'm often reminded of a phrase +Rowan commended as representing the best of Anglican tradition, 'gracious presumption', ie thinking the best about others rather than the worst.
DeleteI may not do it in quite so committed a way, but I will certainly try to be positive and kind in my posts. With the exception of anything to do with Trump or the government, of course. Sorry if that defeats the object but I think that might be an effort too far :)
ReplyDeleteAs my dear friend Daisy Black said, we need to call out injustice, so I don't think I'm suggesting we ignore the crap and the vile. I'm just interested in changing the narrative!
DeleteVerry nice
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ReplyDeleteVampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a Vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, But how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity, I can help you solve any problem you are having
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Vampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a Vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, But how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity, I can help you solve any problem you are having
ReplyDelete(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) If you want to stop having bad dreams.
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) If you want to stop your divorce.
(10 If you want to divorce your husband.
(11) If you want your wishes to be granted.
contact the Vampires Lord on his Email: Richvampirekindom@gmail.com