Recently, I shared a meme on Facebook about the importance of staying present.
The quote read:
“You cannot suffer the past or the future because they do not exist. What you are suffering is your memory and your imagination.”
It resonated deeply with me, and still does. Staying focused on the present helped me navigate some very difficult times in my life.
But someone responded with strong emotions, pointing out how this quote might
dismiss the experiences of those who have endured trauma, abuse, or depression.
Let me be clear: the last thing I ever want to do is cause harm. I
hold deep empathy for anyone who has walked through pain.
AND… I also know that not everyone will agree with the things I post. What’s
true and healing for me may land differently for someone else. That’s part of being human.
Still, that won’t stop me from sharing what resonates with
my lived experience.
Just as I respect someone else’s right to share their truth, even when I don’t agree, I also claim the right to share
mine.
We all have choices. If something you see online hurts or triggers you, you can:
- Scroll past.
- Engage respectfully.
- Unfollow or mute.
- Curate your feed in a way that
supports your mental health.
I do it, too. I don’t consume content that harms my peace. I walk on by as Dionne Warwick so beautifully
sang.
It’s not sustainable (or healthy) to filter my life through the lens of people who might be hurt by it. If I did that, I’d never share
anything.
Should someone who's suffered infertility demand that no one share their pregnancy joy?
Should someone who’s lost a parent ask that no one celebrate Mother’s or Father’s Day?
Of course not. We can hold space for different truths without silencing our own.
I’m committed to sharing with integrity and alignment to my values. That means I may not always get it perfectly right, but I will always show up as honestly as I can.
I am responsible for how I show up. I am not responsible for how others choose to receive it.
So if something I share doesn’t sit well with you, please, take care of your mental health.
Mute me, block me, unsubscribe, or simply… walk on
by.
