Today I want to share a reflection that is increasingly gaining ground in our society and that I think deserves particular attention because, in one way or another, it affects us all.
The spontaneity of social networks has brought a blast of authenticity and freshness to the way we share who we are with the rest of the world and how we communicate with any other person who also has access to the Internet and a social profile. This is something that fascinates me, but it also scares me because I feel that it has taken away our ability to reflect, and that it drives us to express our thoughts, principles and ideas quickly and in a hurry. Oftentimes without thinking about the consequences; often tinging these messages with an ugly intention that has little to do with the nice act of sharing.
Positive communication builds. Negative communication destroys; and you don’t only hurt the other person, but you hurt yourself too. Going into destructive mode is, in some way, allowing negative feelings such as envy, unhealthy competition, jealousy and even hatred to take over you. Communicating through social networks calls on us to exercise respect, empathy and compassion. If you direct this compassion towards yourself as a first step, you won’t want to send out negative messages; if you don’t feel attacked, you won’t fight, you won’t go on the defence.
You decide how you want to communicate. Although it is no excuse, it can happen to any of us that we might not be having a great day and we fall into negative communication dynamics with others, and of course I am not only referring to social media. That is why we must start by finding peace of mind with ourselves and move away from a negative emotional state, because positive communication is much healthier for all of us.
That is why I am sharing this reflection and inviting you to be alert to the way we communicate. I am joining the #YoMeSumo movement that is speaking out against hatred and racism online. Let us all take a bit of time before acting, exercise some caution, reflection and above all, respect. Let us reject this way of communicating that is becoming normalised among new generations, and let us unite to move away from destructive messages, because they don’t do us any good. As my partner says, “anything that doesn’t add, takes away” and “sharing is living”.
#YoMeSumo
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