middle of the week

I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling compelled to write more here. I don’t want to over-think it, it isn’t any great calling or anything like that. I just feel like sharing. And then I click on “add new post” and stare at the blank screen and totally forget whatever it was I came to write in the first place. Aren’t I great?

Here’s what I’m thinking about at the moment: Positive and negative energy. Some things fill me with positive energy, others seem very negative, sapping me of my energy and willpower. Of course some things are “good for you” and you would think they would give energy – getting a good night’s sleep, for example, eating right, exercising. And they do work. But what about the negative?

It is amazing, now that I’m paying attention, how much online drama just saps my energy. It isn’t even anything important! (Usually). Just reading something can make me laugh or set my blood boiling or somewhere in between.

Here’s an example: There is a local forum here that talks about, strangely enough, local things. The weather, schools, traffic, places to shop. On purpose I have never created an account on this forum, because I know it would become a huge time and energy suck for me to engage here, because (surprise) most of the time I think the people posting are wrong. Heh.

Some days it is really tempting. Right now there is an ongoing argument about whether a new restaurant charges too much. I told you this stuff isn’t important. One person after another has supported their position, giving examples. I sometimes picture the Peanuts characters waving their arms around, their mouths wide while shouting “BUT I LIKE THIS ONE BETTER, HERE IS A SCREEN SHOT OF THEIR MENU” or something. “For that price, I’ll just go eat at XX.” “But the quality…” etc.

Ha. Greater minds than mine have pointed out – investing energy in this type of exchange means there is less energy for other things. Getting worked up about bullshit will not benefit me in the slightest. And even if I could post the most absolutely convincing bit of information supporting my point of view, someone would still regard it as “wrong” (the same way I regard them as wrong) and they would post a rebuttal and it would just continue the cycle.

As the Dalai Lama says (I had to work him in here somehow, LOL), sometimes you just need to forget it and move on. Paraphrasing, of course. He would totally be on my side about the restaurant, I’m certain. So no, I won’t be joining the forum, and I’m actively trying to limit my time reading the other posts, since all it can do is make me weary.

2 thoughts on “middle of the week

  1. I was with a friend tonight … and we totally had this conversation (about politics), “Do you really think you could provide an example that would change someone’s mind.”

    Our conclusion was …

    “…[e]ven if I could post the most absolutely convincing bit of information supporting my point of view, someone would still regard it as “wrong” ”

    Which made me us feel pretty brilliant, because “why waste the effort” – and “how pointless is that?”

    Then we moved onto work issues … and how could we “make Sr. Management “see” the problem.” … and I was SO TOTALLY INVESTED in this conversation – ACTUALLY BRINGING OUT A PEN AND WRITING ON A NAPKIN in the bar our points and the counter points to “PROVE” …

    And now I’ve read this … and realized, If people aren’t READY to hear (or willing to consider something different) … it really doesn’t matter what argument you put in front of them, does it? They’re not going to “get” it.

    *sigh* OMG … my moment of personal illumination is HUGE DOWNER. (so happy to share this with you) :\

    1. I know exactly what you mean 😛

      I would make a crappy lawyer. I have definite opinions about many hot topics (global climate change, health care, military budgets, etc) but there is really little benefit in arguing online – the medium just sucks for ever resolving anything.

      Sorry about your downer moment…

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