brett is sad.
he has just read another facebook status of someone who has clearly had a dispute with a friend of theirs.
instead of going directly to that person, face to face, one on one and with much hope, love and positive anticipation seeking restoration of the friendship, and a righting of the wrong, that person has decided to air their frustration and anger publically for everyone to see.
another cringeworthy facebook status. brett reads it. brett is sad.
brett takes a sideways glance at the mirror and tries to think back on times he might have used his facebook status or twitter tweeting to take a dig at someone, for something they did to him, or perhaps even simply something he perceived was done ‘to him’ [this does not make him any happier]
but for now as an outside third party, who has absolutely no idea what the wrong that was committed was, except that someone now is a ‘bitch’ and the likelihood of that sparking a search for restored relationship feeling not altogether high, brett wrestles internally.
he wonders if there is any hope that if he addresses the issue that it will make any difference at all. what if he was to write a blog about it? surely everyone who read the blog would sit back and realise, ‘Wow, I have been that person. I have taken offence publically at someone instead of personally going to them and seeking relationship and restoration from them. Never again will I go to my Facebook or my Twitter status as the place where I vent at people who have done me wrong. From now on I will go directly to them. I will seek relationship with everything I have. I will look at myself and where I possibly have gotten it wrong and take ownership of that.’
but he’s not sure they will. brett suspects it will be the age old dilemma. the people who will read his blog and click ‘like’ and hit ‘share’ and comment favorably will be the ones who do not rush to Facebook statuses [stati?] and Twitter to air their hurts and disappointments at people. they will be the ones who, when offended, will firstly take a look inwards to see if they themselves are the cause of any of that offence; they will be the ones who approach their friends with love and the invitation to talk it out gently; they will be the very ones who didn’t need to read the blog in the first place.
the choir belts out another verse…
while the diva sits sulking in her dressing room.
outraged by the fact that the specifically requested brand of bottled water was not delivered.
that the green M & M’s outnumbered the brown ones two to one.
that the curtains are ‘that horribly garrish olive green’
so why does brett write that blog, if he knows he is preaching to the choir and that his words are drowned out by the world-is-against-me sobs of the barricaded-in-her-dressing-room songstress?
because brett is forever hopeful.
always holding on to the ‘what if’.
what if… someone were to somehow accidentally stumble across his scribbled out thoughts and see themselves reflected back and somehow hear the distinct melody of a different, better way of doing things?
what if… as a result of reading the this, someone went directly to go and erase the that and decided instead to drop a brief note into their friend’s inbox, an invitation to meet up and see if things can’t be worked out differently?
it is the ‘what if’ that compels brett to think it is worth having a go.
and so he does.
One wonders if Brett also privately challenged (in love, obviously) the culprit in question. bearing in mind the irony of this, albeit much more pleasant post, if he didn’t 🙂
sadly there are too many culprits for brett even to begin unless he takes on the much unwanted tag of status police… don’t think i have the relationship in this specific case to warrant good challenging but believe me brett is a person who repeatedly takes up private challenges [hopefully in love] in this and other vein especially when it comes to Christ following people posting non-Christ-following statuses [stati?] and things on Facebook and it generally is not well received… but every now and then. [which makes it all worthwhile, especially if the Love is experienced/received]
I’m well aware that, having been on the receiving end of said challenge before, and it is good that you do so. I was just under the impression that this piece is in response to a specific incident, hence my question. there is precious little difference (in my mind) between facebook stati? and blog posts.
oh hey it’s you hi. yes no for sure, so there was one in particular that sparked it but it was a Facebook ‘friend’ i don’t really know as well – i think relationship is a great foundation to have for that kind of challenge altho do think there are other times that a gentle word can be good even without the relationship and have already given some of those out this week – but this blog was more a response to seeing too many of them happen over years of facebooking as opposed to one specific incident.
also, if this was just a response to one specific post then that would probably be the most hypocritical of posts to have posted… [by brett of course, not me!]
You’re right though…. preaching to the choir
I’ve been that guy. Sadly.
Hahah Brett, please rest assured that one of the people who DID need to read this blog just has – and wondered in shock if it was my social media breakdown you’re talking about. But that’s pure arrogance to think it must be me…there are so many who air publicly, and never resolve. But hopefully I can restore some of your faith in humanity here: following my very public breakdown via Twitter and Facebook, a week ago today, the people at the centre of the storm (for there were many) I have approached, and spoken with, and realised that the breakdown was much more mine alone, than from any action on their part. It’s a good feeling when you communicate, and resolve issues. Here’s to ALWAYS being able to be guided by that logic, and not be overwhelmed by the emotion…
oh hey Dave, thankx for the message – don’t think i saw what you are referring to but sounds like it has resolved well so that is a great thing… thankx for sharing!