Reflecting...
I found myself a bit distracted as I walked the hallways of OSF this morning. Both on the way to visit one of our families being treated there and on the way back I had greeted people with a smile and the blessing “good morning!” The majority, and most of them employees of OSF, smiled and greeted me in return.
It was the ones who didn’t even acknowledge my greeting who distracted me. I was a bit miffed, I’m sad to admit. That seemed like a poor excuse for manners, or the lack of them.
But then I realized: (1) I haven’t a clue about how their day had been going. Perhaps their stony silence was the best they could muster; and (2) I do not need to let someone else’ reaction or behavior have any say in whether or not I’m going to enjoy my day. More on that in a bit.
But first, my feeling of being slighted fit in with the article I read from Tim Elmore this morning. He was writing about the outrage culture that we’re breeding on social media. People are working to stand out from all the noise with the use of hyperbole. When we shout, we feel that we’ve been heard. When we’re retweeted or reposted, we feel a rush of validation. And the use of emotional words increases the likelihood of retweeting/reposting by 15% to 20%. I could have fallen into that trap after my hospital visit this morning.
Elmore’s encouragement for leading kids in this culture can be summed up in these points: 1. Talk about the downside of hyperbole. It wears people down and causes them to tune out. 2. Limit your check-ins on social media. That’s always a good suggestion. 3. Choose to make emotions your servant not your master. When we reflect before we react, we engage our minds, and our emotions follow. 4. Recognize any compassion fatigue you experience. You cannot have an impact on everything. And 5. Act to improve the lives around you. Don’t just talk.
As for not needing someone else’ behavior to have a say in the enjoyment of my day or the peace I experience, well, that’s not entirely true. My peace, and my enjoyment of this abundant life, flow directly from the cross of my Lord Jesus, through the empty tomb He once inhabited. He did all of that so that I could know forgiveness and life. His impression of me – abiding love – is what gives life it’s meaning and purpose.