Patience--the ability to tolerate being hurt, provoked, or annoyed without complaint or loss of temper.
The Beatles may have sang "All we need is love...", but I say that a little patience wouldn't hurt either. It has been with displeasure that I read online comments to others that are impatient, unnecessary and rude. Some people won't let anything go. Remember what your mother or grandmother said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".
It would seem that people in our society have come to believe that they are numero uno or its all about them. If they don't like what one has to say, they may rebut right to their face or in a more cowardly way, online. It might be that the online community feels like they are behind the Wizard of Oz curtain. They think that no one will pay attend to them because of the "cyber- curtain" separating them from the real person out front writing the message.
The internet has become a vehicle to communicate with friends or would-be friends. In this world where people enjoy meeting new people, they can go to the Internet for friends. In fact Facebook and My Space, even call the contacts a person has online, their "friends". So, these "friends" are open and talk about their likes or what they find interesting. I read one this morning that was an innocent survey inviting others on a particular public web blog to participate. Not a must do or even one that too many young people would want to do, but some did it and the person posting the survey found it of interest. Did uninterested readers just ignore the invitation if they chose not to participate? No, they had to belittle and write rude comments to and about the person who found the survey interesting in the first place.
In this world where people are physically hurting everyday, why do people have to hurt each other with words? In my opinion, a person loses their self worth when others do not validate their thoughts and comments. If one doesn't agree with what is being said and feels strongly that the other person is in error, then do as the Bible says. Go to the person face to face, talk to them gently and take another person along. I heard of a woman who asked another woman if she was going to a church event. That other woman replied, "No" rather abruptly leaving the first woman to wonder why she disapproved of the event. When she confronted her about her comment, she found out it wasn't that she disapproved at all, but that she had something else to do that night. So, sometimes I'm sure we all misinterpret other people's comments. We want to take care that we don't jump to the wrong conclusion. I'm afraid I am guilty of that sometimes. Although, we should be aware that so many can misinterpret an online comment because of the lack of vocal tone.
In conclusion, I would just like to remind us all to have more patience in dealing with our fellow human beings. Make your comments to others patient and kind, like Jesus demonstrated to us so long ago.
Ephesians 4:2-4
1 comment:
I agree, and as a side note, as schooled as they may have been in interpersonal relationships, the Beattles had it all wrong. LOVE is NOT all we need. In fact, love is a hinderance most of the time.
All we need is compassion and patience (as you write). That is all we need. Take that, the ghost of John Lennon!
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