Is Sharing Really Caring?
We live in a world of information overload. We like, share, comment, retweet and unfollow, mute and block stuff we don’t like. Sometimes it gets really too much for some of us. I get overwhelmed by negative news and debates, unwanted text messages, junk mails, spam and too much exposure to social media. I crave solitude and regularly take breaks to detach from the hustle and bustle of a fast-changing world.
Chain letters and junk messages are one of my pet peeves. I can’t seem to get away from them no matter how much I try. I’ve unsubscribed from many online resources, blogs, and business organizations due to unnecessary junk mails. I don’t want to waste any precious time deleting chain letters, junk emails and text messages. It’s easier to just block repeat offenders who refuse to respect my boundary, and yes even family.
Junk comes in different forms and we can all agree that they are not serving any positive purpose in our lives. All junks are excess and a waste of everyone’s time and energy.
Let’s talk about Chain letters and Junk messages from people we know: our friends and family!
Chain Letters are junk. Period. They are manipulative and insert fear in people. Telling a friend if they break the chain they are not a good friend is nonsense.
Waking up to text messages titled WARNING!!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!! is fear mongering and unacceptable.
Anyone who sends a chain letter full of ill wishes and threat such as these “If you break the chain you will have bad luck for the rest of your life” is not a caring friend.
Why would someone send me 5 pages of prayer in tiny fonts?🙈😂🙊😂 Surely, that can’t be from God! Lol! What have I done to deserve such, ahem, blessing?
Think Before You Click Send. Ask yourself these questions before clicking the send button. What is my intention? What is the message? What is the lesson? What emotion am I invoking? Is it absolutely necessary? Does it reflect my values and is this the best contribution I want to put out to the world?
Self-Awareness. Pay attention to your relationships. Is the communication one-way? Take a hint!
Don’t Abuse Your Access. A relationship is a blessing, don’t be a nuisance. Don’t abuse your access, use them with caution, use only when necessary and with wisdom.
Less Is More. If you really must share, keep it short and sweet. No one has time to read pages of emails and text messages.
Share Responsibly. If sharing is caring, share something worthwhile and useful. Share something original. Share your life, passion and common interest. Share something positive and uplifting. Stop forwarding and promoting hoaxes, salacious, hurtful, depressing gossips, unverified fake news.
In a healthy relationship, you know each other’s like and dislike, respect other’s boundaries and don’t send junk, annoying messages.
The truth is we are all complicit. We have all contributed to junk messages. The question is what part are you going to play moving forward? How have you dealt with junk messages from friends and family?
A Note Of Appreciation
To all my readers: I love corresponding with anyone who has genuine questions and needs. I value your privacy and would never share your email addresses with a third-party or spam you. I feel so blessed that we’ve been able to create a community based on mutual love and respect. I can honestly say that no one in our community spam or bombard me with junk. Bravo!
Hi Buky! It’s Greta. I just read your post on junk emails etc from friends and family.
It’s a very powerful lesson on communication etiquette. It shows how sometimes we get so engaged in informing and being informed we kind of forget our manners. Thank you for such a kind but clear and direct reminder Buky!
Greta, Thanks a bunch, communication etiquette is lacking much. It’s a bothersome for me. Some of us are wired differently. Lol!
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