seeking peace...

Is it just me or does it seem like the world is in complete chaos?  


I think in a way, there has always been chaos running rampant.  I think it seems so much worse due to social media.  It feels like we are bombarded with anxiety inducing words/images every where we turn.  

At least, that's how it feels to me.

I used to love Instagram.  I liked seeing the art people were creating, how their gardens were growing, what foods they were making and just fun things they were doing.  (It's easier to get through then blogging and faster to share as well.)

Then the "algorithm" changed.  Now, if I want to follow along with someone's process, I have to search out their account and scroll through their feed to find the first post, then the next and so on.  My crazy brain really likes chronological order, but that just isn't an option anymore.  

So I started to fall a little out of love with Instagram.  (I gave up on Facebook years ago and only use it to check in - very rarely - with online groups I joined - art, cooking, genealogy).  

Now I've noticed a new thing (I hesitate to call it a trend because even though everyone seems to be doing it, it isn't trendy).  We all seem to be experts at something.  And it seems to be our sole purpose on IG to tell each other how we should be doing something.  

I'm going to try to explain, but without specifics so this may get confusing.  

Example A: So & so is a specialist in a certain field.  They share how they got their specialty and how other types of the same field are not the same thing that So & so does.  They show how they work their work and that you shouldn't try to do like they do because they are specialized.  Then So & so says you can't put this & that in that space there because it won't work.  But you shouldn't even be trying because you aren't specialized like they are and you shouldn't try to "appropriate" something that isn't yours or your history.  All the while, mixing in posts about how they went there and learned that.  Then went here and learned this.  And since you haven't done that, you can't do this.

Example B: Such & such is REAL.  They tell it like it is and don't give a f*#k what you think.  A lot of their posts are about "keeping it real" and "you should be you" kind of posts.  They talk about how wrong racism is (well, duh!) and how people need to work together and defeat racism and racist people.  Then they post about how all white women are white supremacists.  (Um, isn't that a bit racist?)

I could go on with more examples.  But I don't think I need to.  I know you're probably thinking I should un-follow things that bother me.  Yep, you're right and I will be.  

My issue isn't with them saying what they think and how they feel.  My issue is that they seem to be saying the rest of us are wrong about how we think and feel.  My issue is how we are using these forums to say that we are right and you are wrong and you can just f off if you don't like it.  Worse, to me is that our children are learning that they can do and say anything they want, all on social media, and it is okay.

When social media first came along it was all "oh we can grow closer."  All I see is division.  All I see are accusations and condemnation.  Honestly, it drives me crazy.  I can't sleep at night because things I've seen or read have wormed their way into my brain and are scraping their sharp little claws into my soul and ripping it apart.

I'll say this.  I abhor confrontation.  I can't do it.  I get physically ill at the thought of it.  When people get into arguments around me I have to leave the room, sometimes even the building.  Because of this, I don't discuss religion or politics with anyone.  Ever.  If someone starts a discussion, I try to change the subject or I excuse myself to another area or room.  

Because of this people tend to think I don't have any knowledge about those subjects.  That isn't true.  I do have knowledge and I also have opinions.  I just chose not to share them so I can avoid a conflict.  

I try hard to follow where my intuition leads.  I listen to it with regards to pretty much all aspects of my life, particularly the magical.  

The last month or so I've been feeling angry.  Not just a little angry, very angry.  Banner going Hulk angry.  It just seems to keep building and building.  I don't know if it is all the anger out there in the world (and this country in particular) or if it is something inside me.  I do know, I don't like it.  Not at all.

Maybe Instagram isn't the place for me anymore.  Or maybe I should stick to just following art, knitting and gardening people and stay away from the other stuff.

Sorry, I just needed to get this out of my head.  I really didn't have anyone/where else to go with it.

I'll leave you with a photo I took of the shadows cast by some of my potted plants.  I just love the way they look.

Oh and before I forget, a Pig Pickin' is what southerners (USA) call a barbecue. (The having a party, cooking on the grill kind, not the shredded pork kind, that's actually called barbecue.) hee hee...

Thanks for stopping in for a read!
love & blessings
~*~