We’ve had an exceedingly busy life over the last few weeks. We’ve been traveling. First, with family and friends, on a delightful cruise to Alaska, and then more recently we were in Nashville for a granddaughter’s wedding, which was attended by every single beautiful family member—from the oldies (Chuck & I) to the youngest of great grandchildren (Carter) to everyone in between. 

Such meaningful moments full of love, and loveliness. My soul is still singing.  

After all the excitement and constant activity, a weekend at home to simply chill and do nothing was a welcome respite, and I caught up with some news and social media posts. Maybe not the brightest idea, but enlightening. So much chaos and craziness in the world news! And a few hate-filled social media posts. What I saw, read, and heard got me thinking about the negativity that’s swirling in the life and times of now!

But this morning I was reminded of the wisdom in Philippians 4:8-9, which has resulted in this blogpost. It was a reminder to always choose love and lovely thoughts. Take action that intentionally nourish the soul and serve as a blessing to others! 

I’ve written extensively about such topics, in various ways over the years, in this blog and in my book, so this is one more reminder that while we live in a troubled, topsy-turvy world, surrounded by disturbing news, hateful criticism, and noisy commentary, we must guard our hearts and minds by choosing love over hate, and lovely, pure thoughts over negative ones, because our thoughts do matter—they direct our actions and determine our lives!

As Dr. Forrest C Shaklee so wisely expressed, “What you think, you look; what you think, you do; and what you think, you are!”

We can learn a lot about people simply by scrolling through their social media feed, viewing their pictures, seeing what they repost, and reading their comments—even reading between the lines. We learn who people really are; what they enjoy, where they stand; and how they think. 

Happily for me, the vast majority of friends and people I follow are like-minded in terms of posting pictures and comments about their social lives, their family, their hobbies and their passions—pleasant, loving posts that are interesting and uplifting. 

But then there are those whose posts I now scroll on by because it saddens me to see their creators so embittered and obsessed with a perceived social injustice, their own personal pet peeve, or visceral hatred towards anyone with an opposing political view. So much so, some even invite those who disagree with their viewpoint to unfriend them. Whatever happened to love and friendship? What’s wrong with agreeing to disagree? Can we not place love and friendship above political preferences?

Actually, I prefer to befriend rather than unfriend, to build bridges of communication with people I care for, rather than to silence them, or punish them for thinking differently, and to be kind and respectful even when on opposing sides. So, I scroll past the hateful rhetoric and, although tempted to respond at times, I choose not to engage—in the big scheme of things their anger is of no consequence to me, and my time is better spent more positively. Very often, the hostile language, the repetitive accusations, and the voluminous vitriol are not only beneath the writer, but they are also dull and boring to me. Life is too precious to allow someone else’s unpleasantness to invade your life and steal your peace, so I let them be! I remain hopeful that their posts will be more enjoyable in the future, but I continue to scroll on to more uplifting, interesting posts. 

With that said, let’s encourage one another to level up. Let’s rise above the malicious rhetoric. Let’s attempt to seek the good in others, to choose love over hate, and lovely thoughts over vindictive ones. Let’s be the light in someone else’s darkness. 

What if we invest so much time working on ourselves, to be the best we can be, we leave no room for hateful criticism of others—who are probably doing the very best they can. 

Let’s try to live each day heeding Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.