Have you ever?

It's obviously been a crazy 3 months, and an even scarier few weeks. I removed myself from social media for a while because I couldn't stand the hatred, violence, and arrogance anymore. I have figured out that many people believe ONLY their opinion is right. If you agree with them 99.99%, it's not enough for them. You must parrot their opinion or be treated harshly. If this were just the case with one or two people, or even just those on one side of an argument, then it would be easier to dismiss as just a flaw in that person's character, but unfortunately, it's a wide-spread problem. I have watched from a distance and listened to many, many opinions on everything from Covid-19 "facts" and "lies", to the handling of a wrongful death by a corrupt man, to how the nation should move forward. What I've found is that instead of finding viable solutions, too many just want to take advantage of the situation, bully others, use events as excuses for releasing the worst in human beings, and many do nothing more productive than spew their own opinions from the safety of their homes and cell phones. Are these people shouting the loudest actually standing in the June heat side by side with protesters? Are they calling their family and friends caught up in these events asking them, "How would you have me help?", are they on the phone to their senators, congressmen, and governors? Or are they just condemning, shaming, and bullying others on social media?

My own opinions are just that, mine. I am entitled to them just as others strongly dictate that theirs are "superior" to everyone else. I won't comment on the Covid-19 issues because I know it totally depends on what state you live in, how it's being handled, your population vs square miles ratios, and it matters if you're a nurse or doctor dealing directly with infected patients vs someone who's never met anyone who got it, and don't even know OF a person your friends and family know who's had it.
It's a very different opinion based on those and other factors.

Want to make a real difference? Let's play a game...Have you ever?.......

Sat with someone raised in a village so poor they barely had a roof and dirt floor and listen to their perspective on things?

Spent hours with someone brought to this country as a 2 week old, and now as a 19 year old may have to lose her 2 full-time jobs, family, friends, and give up her college classes because any minute now a law may be signed to deport her to a country she's never been to because of someone else's mistake in how they brought her to America? BTW, she receives no government assistance, no scholarships or money for school, and does not qualify for any programs here.

Listened to someone who's Native American and works hard for everything he has, working 2 full-time jobs to feed his family while everyone thinks "they ALL get free casino money they spend on alcohol and drugs"? His answer is yes, many (but only certain tribes) do get money, and do waste it on those things, but that's not the case for everyone, and certainly not him or his family.

Taken the time to hear the stories of teens kicked out of their homes and left on the streets, homeless, because of their parents' views on LGBTQ? Before you say you have - what I'm talking about is a straight young lady who got kicked out for saying, "Aren't we supposed to be nice to everyone?" when parents disowned her sister for being a lesbian. Her statement about being nice got her thrown out and cut off.

Been part of a group of young adults who are smart, dedicated to serving, and working hard - who happen to be White, Black, Asian, Native American, Latino, Hispanic, Straight, Lesbian/Gay, Bi, Atheist, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Pagan - YET it never came up or caused conflict? All pulled together with mutual respect, trust, and love, working toward the same goals and purpose. They treated each other as one family, closer than family in some cases.

Actually taken time to write to your political leaders not to complain, criticize, and condemn them, but to offer possible solutions?

Participated in a peaceful protest where the focus is to help others, not just rage against people? Did you carry a sign being disrespectful, shaming, or condemning people or did your sign promote the solution you were hoping for? There's a huge difference!

Stayed up through the night talking with someone who was suicidal, encouraging them that they're not alone and you'll be there with them no matter what?

Given up your time to volunteer for a group or organization you say you stand with or believe in? Actually putting in work?

Opened your wallet and given to an actual stranger in need? or did you tell yourself, "They'd probably just blow it on booze."

Secretly put together a team of people to fill the needs of a particular person or family, making sure they had food, money, clothing, baby supplies, or whatever else they needed - WITHOUT any way for them to find out who helped them? It's not about recognition.

Consoled a friend who's caught up in domestic violence, being abused, and she's convinced if she stays, she's be murdered, but if she leaves, he'll find her and she'll be murdered?

Spoken to the young men and women who were sold into human trafficking by their own family or (supposed) boyfriends? Have you ever had to respond to someone looking you in the eye telling you they were sold to men at parties at seven or eight years old?

As you can see, there are true, real things we can all do to make a real difference in the lives of people; things that are more beneficial than burning down a city block leaving the very people you hope to help - helpless. We can do more than murdering others to "pay back" for a wrongful murder by a corrupt person. There are better solutions than complaining, criticizing, condemning, and bullying others on social media. Our nation needs many changes, but these things will never bring the changes we need.

What will YOU do to make a REAL difference in the life of someone else?