Do Not Cross

In this day and age, it’s really easy to cross the line with our posts. Between blogs, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and so on, we have a lot of places to air our grievances. But should you?

The answer is a resounding, “NO!” If I feel I’ve been wronged, I might make mention of it over on twitter, but in no way, shape or form and I naming names. I’ll also skip the details and keep it as non-specific as possible. Most of the time I just let it slide.

Recently, I was the focus of a fairly nasty status update. This update turned into a series of off topic comments that just got downright ugly. I’m sure I wasn’t meant to see it, but when it’s out there for the world to see, is it any surprise I did? My mind immediately raced and I wanted to post my own comment, write a rebuttal status update of my own, something, ANYTHING to have my side heard. But what exactly would that accomplish? Nothing. And so I said nothing. Whatever I wanted to say 1) most likely wouldn’t even be seen by the one person I wanted to see it, and 2) wouldn’t change anyone’s mind anyway. Some things are better left unsaid.

Sometimes you just have to let it go.

We must never forget that the internet is a public place. Think before you post. Ask yourself if this is something you’d say to every single person you come across during your day? Would you stand in the middle of Yankee Stadium during the World Series and say it into a microphone for millions of people to hear? If not, then maybe it’s not a good idea to post that status update. Our words have consequences.

And by God, if you have no place talking about something that doesn’t even concern you, then don’t.

For the record, these are things I have to work on as well. I’m not perfect and I’m absolutely guilty of crossing the line. I know this. But I try my best to think about the fact that anyone can access things I say. I have my failures, but I press on and try to do better.