How to deal with dialogue & tragic events on social media.

​Social Media is a place where we vaguely, yet immensely get to know our friends, families and acquaintances thoughts and opinions.  Now, is not the time for cyber bullying. Nor has it ever been.  The entire human race has just witnessed and been affected by a massacre this past weekend. In reality, many of us are hit with fatality or strife every day: losing loved ones various ways, hurting from our own misfortunes and so much more.  Social Media is not the place where we should tear each other down.  There's a common term for this that many of us aren't even classifying our behaviors as.  It's called cyber bullying.  It doesn't just happen to teenage boys and girls.  It happens to everyone especially when we're all looking for someone to blame.    It's true what they say, "hurt people, hurt people. “
 
How do we counteract this? Yes, it is so hard to mask your feelings when you feel rightfully justified.  However, in times of tragedy, try to find love and empathy in your darkness.  Hold on to these qualities like it's your last dollar in the bank.  You'll be surprised how you can pay it forward. 
 
Most of us are praying for the days when we no longer have to experience the unjust.  Keep praying.  Goodness and mercy come from higher places.  There's a peace that transcends you when you let go.  It's an indescribable occurrence that you have to let happen in your life. 
 
As stated before, hurt people, hurt people.  We've all witnessed the argumentative, distasteful, unaware comment streams on our Social Media timelines.  Newsflash, there is an antidote.  It's learning how to talk about the tragedy in a positive and productive way.  I just read an article on CNN entitled, "How to talk your Kids About Tragic Events."  Perhaps, we should all relearn how to talk to each other about tragic events.
 
The article pointed out the following techniques for kids that I'm sharing with you, as an adult, to heed:
 
1.  Limit your exposure.  If you can't handle all the news updates, the imagery, the soundbites, get away from it.  According to the CNN article, "Studies that found that children who had repeated and prolonged exposure to media images had more difficulty with anxiety than kids with less exposure..."  Perhaps, this may be true of adults too.
 
2.  Find some reassurance.  It may be an isolated incident.  It doesn't mean it's going to happen to you.  Allowing anxiety to build up means you need to adhere to Tip 1. 
 
3.  Open up to somebody you love and trust.  God first.  You can open up on Social Media all night, but when you get off and you've heard everybody's opinions and you're all worked up, then who, what, when and why?  A good, old fashion conversation may do you some good. 
 
Lastly, my mother always said, "Pretty is as pretty does."  Behave yourselves, people.  You've got an audience on Social Media that has a front row seat to your commentary.  Make sure it's pretty.  Here's a posting tip:  just share articles and not your negative thoughts and opinions.  The world needs love! 
 
Be kind.