Date: Wed, 1 May 2013 16:08:42 -0400
From: Betty Phillips
Subject: Kindness and compassion
The idea and ideal for the Chatlist is for us to help each other. And so much of the information fits that description. There are so many posts about issues such as food banks and helping seniors and animals; we should be proud and happy to live in Chatham County and to have Gene to assist us.
But then there are the other posts. I don’t understand how racoons and smart meters and pseudonyms can stimulate such snarky and taunting and hostile comments. Well, actually I do understand because I’m a psychologist, but I’d like us all to stop and think about this topic.
Some people have left the Chatlist because of these issues. When we want to make a comment about a post, think about consideration and respect for each other. You can disagree without being disagreeable. You can even be clever without ridicule. Compassion is based upon empathy. Think about how you’d feel if you received your post. Remember “Do onto others…” Compassion brings inner peace and happiness while this kind of competitiveness leads to stress and jealousy.
You can help others with well researched and reasoned posts and leave nastiness in your wastebasket!