Well, apparently that’s what I am according to someone on Social Media.
Yes, I did a stupid thing just recently … and I know better because I’ve done it before and I didn’t like it then!
I looked at the comments of an Instagram photo of the Sussex’s.
I found my self in a defending battle of the comments. What a useless waste of my time.
But the thing is, I often find myself defending the defenseless, or offering another point of view to a situation when I feel it’s unjust.
And, I often find myself full of despair and disgust at the vileness of human beings.
I am neither the Duchess of Sussex’s biggest fan or worst enemy but I do believe that people should not be so outrageously vile to her on social media. I get it, she is different and the new kid on the block, having married a beloved child of the immortal Princess Diana, but holy moly, these comments are an embarrassment to the capacity of a human being to be so low.
An embarrassment because I believe in better, and I am so disappointed when humans act in this way.
I find it exhausting. It gives me stress Tourettess as I realise there is so much change needed in the world.
So many people just-don’t-care.
They don’t care about anything deeper than their own small insignificant issues. They have no sense of wider issues, of living into any kind of possibility for the betterment of the world around. They have no care about anything that would improve things for others or the planet.
They just continue to be small-minded, bitchy, judgmental and reactive.
There are so many things we can all do on a daily basis to make a difference, to make the world a better place.
I truly believe that we, the consumer have enormous power, that we can effect change much more effectively than any government.
Remember when Asda started the wonky veg box? Forever supermarkets had farmers over a barrel to only supply symmetrical pristine veg and suddenly, they were selling out of the opposite. It wasn’t what they wanted, it was what the customer demanded. How many times have you asked for something to be told there’s no demand?
It’s pretty much how I feel about plastic bottles right now.
Glastonbury this year decided that they would take a stand over single-use plastic. They estimate that over 1 million bottles were not used due to that decision.
What would it take for a day or two of action for no-one to buy anything in a plastic bottle, for the supermarkets and other outlets to do something differently?
A visit to Starbucks just recently made me realise just how much plastic goes into the environment every day. It seems to me they have made no effort whatsoever to curb their plastic use. They even had plastic straws! Maybe I don’t get out enough!!
So many people have been commenting on the series that Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall did recently highlighting the appalling amount of plastic and other waste that is in the environment, and yet there is a disconnect as to the actions people make day to day.
Do we presume that our local councils and governments will ‘sort it out’, that it’s up to them and we have no control or power?
Well, we have the power every time we put our hand into our purse or wallet.
If Starbucks was boycotted for just one day, empty for a day, do you think that would make them change a few policies?
Do you think supermarkets would still stock acres of bottled water in plastic bottles if we left them on the shelves?
The fact is, although we think we have recycling schemes and we diligently separate our waste, it still ends up as someone’s problem. There is no decent way to recycle and we can’t trust our authorities to do the right thing as they are all looking for the cheapest and most expedient way to get rid of it.
We all need to take personal responsibly for our buying choices, for our waste and for our contribution in the world.
Are you thinking that I seem to have gone off-topic … I started with Social media nastiness …
Well here’s my thing … I don’t really care if someone likes or dislikes the Sussex’s, what I care about is … will they make a difference? Will they use their position to make something better in the world.
If they do, I am their biggest fan. As I am of anyone who decides, ‘Let’s do something about this!”.
One of my favorite phrases is “ You are always criticised by people who are doing less than you, not by those doing more’.
I truly believe that we can all make a difference. We can all do more. It can take many different forms.
It starts with awareness and a willingness to try something different.
When I’m coaching with my 1 to 1 clients, it starts by uncovering the things that have been subconsciously running their lives and holding them back.
In my yoga classes, it starts with awareness of the breath and the space between the thoughts.
It could start today for anyone, with the things they put in their shopping bag.
Can we all just get busy doing something positive to change the world around us, rather than being in judgment of others who already are?
After all, when we point a finger towards someone else there are three fingers pointing back to us.
Anything to comment?
Feel free… I can take it, I’m an idiotic, annoying Pollyanna.
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