The internet brings our inner selves to the surface and if you think that is a good thing think again. A mob of nasty mouth pieces are chewing the world up like gluttons at a cheap buffet. While bashing bullies, they bully. While discrediting hatred, they spew hate. While expressing an ability to love those who are different than themselves, they crucify half of the population for not agreeing with them. They label, categorize, and pronounce judgment in the name of unity.
These are surely divisive times, but division only works if one side is willing to turn against or destroy the other. It is no coincidence that critical thinking skills have been cut from school curriculum, or that students are pushed away from a central prospective toward wildly varying extremes in efforts to coerce blind obedience to one narrative or another. There was, I promise, a time when our children were neither pawns nor targets. There was a time we were not girded in hatred and suspicion.
There was a time we didn’t feel so terribly entitled or supremely knowledgeable. There was a time we didn’t excuse bad behavior by insisting such behavior was a right.
Once I said and believed I would never lose a friend over differences in political or religious points of view, but that was before I understood people have grown to deeply believe reality is either black or white, never grey; that compromise is a sign of weakness rather than strength, and that one personal opinion far outweighs all of the other personal opinions in the world because it belongs to you.
I’m old enough to remember when it wasn’t cool to fall in love with the sound of our own voice, and rather than loving a rush that comes after having verbally slaughtered or shamed a perceived opponent, we would have ourselves felt shame. So, in deed, I have lost friends as I stepped into the new world where perspectives are carved in stone, and everyone demands validation.
But I have to say I feel empty inside; in spite of the fact that I know I am not alone. And as I pull away to rebuild, to light once again the inner flame of compassion and trust I’ve lost, I often find tears running down my face, and I am filled with disappointment and woe for what might have been.
I don’t want a trophy or special attention because I know I’m not special, and neither are you. We are all in the same boat, rocky as it is, and God help us as we bicker like spoiled children to see which lie we want to believe.
And God save us from ourselves.
ittymac 
Brilliant! Eloquent and so well-expressed, as ever. You are a talented writer and an advocate for a peaceful and truthful life.
Thank you. The energy I add to the world mirrors your own. Peace.
Thanks so much, your opinion is important to me.
I miss your writing, itty — I myself wrote a blog recently where I said I was tired of the madness and meanness on the internet and in life. I decided to stay away from headlines and work with my blogs and read those who make me feel good, and spend my time with my kids and grandkids who make it all worth while. But I do miss your sparkle.
I’m losing my optimism for this world, Claudia. Nothing I say will change anything. Expressing myself by sharing my experiences, observations and dreams online feels pretty pointless. My clock is ticking so fast; time is flying through my fingers so I’ve taken huge breaks from hours spent on the social treadmill filling those spaces with simpler enriching endeavors in the narrowing,less naive autumn of life. Although I sometimes struggle with the void left from putting down the pen, I have found new vigor in the small daily details of everyday life. I love ya, my kindred soul friend.
You know, girlfriend — we’re not meant to change the world. We don’t have the power, the time, the heart, to set things right. I’ve come to grips with that, and now concentrate on the things I CAN change. My grandkids view of the world. Of each other. Of those who are different. I can teach tolerance and understanding. I can spread positive energy at work where everybody hates their job. I can stand by those I know going through chemo or stage 4 cancer or depression. THAT is where we can change the world, Itty. And use social media for what it’s made for. Our own personal journey.
I’m just here to lend support to those I love, friends and neighbors. No more teaching with words; for me, its all in the deeds from here on out. That and holding on tightly to my faith as the world spins on and on and on. Peace.