Anyone planning on being active on social media with creative work, stick around and hear what I have to say.
And anyone interested in knowing why I continue to do it, put myself out there at the risk of being shit upon, stick around and hear what I have to say.
Let’s start with the negative. If you’ve ever spent any time on social media, you know there are trolls out there with nothing else to do in their little, tiny lives but attack others who are making an attempt at creativity. We know this, we expect it, and yet it always comes as a surprise when it happens.
This from last week, a comment from my video about being a minimalist:
He lost me at, “I live on a friend’s farm ” Sorry, we don’t all have friends who let us camp on their property and let them incur all the expenses of owning land while we brag that live so cheaply and get to work so little. I do own a house and it does cost money and if I didn’t I’d be paying even more to rent some dank apartment. I have to work full time because no one’s letting me piggy back off their efforts. Jesus, what arrogance!
Let’s take a look at this comment, toss it up against the wall, and see if it sticks.
I think this gentleman might have anger issues. First, I’ve worked more years than he’s been alive, without a doubt paid into the tax system more than he has, and I was educated to know that if I’m going to spout off an opinion, I end up looking like an ass if I don’t have my facts.
Second, I don’t piggyback off of anyone; please note I spelled piggyback correctly while Neanderthal managed to misspell it. I work on the farm here for my utilities and rental spot. I sat down with the owner, worked out an equitable deal with her, and we were both satisfied. It’s called a barter system, one which is probably much more equitable than the capitalistic system most Americans suffer from today. She is happy with the arrangement, I’m happy with the arrangement, and evidently the only one not happy with it is our caveman interloper. Oops, kind of a big word for our friend, four syllables probably really pushing his personal envelope.
Third, for years I gave a living space to friends and family who had nowhere else to live. It’s called love. It’s called compassion. It’s called being a human. I see nothing wrong with it at all if all parties are fine with it. My guess is the only people who would not be fine with it would be those who are so self-centered and selfish, they cannot fathom actually giving something to someone just because it feels good to do so.
Okay, I’m done with that idiot. Now let’s turn our attention to a text I received shortly after a blog I wrote about “keeping the monsters away,” dealing with the death of a parent.
I won’t name names, but this is the text I received:
For the past 10 days, I’ve been trying to think of the best way to thank you for sharing this. My mom entered hospice care two days before you posted it, and I’ve returned to it over and over since then. Your words so beautifully captured much of what I’ve been feeling. She passed away yesterday morning. I was there to tuck her into bed and chase the monsters away on her final night. Thank you for sharing this exactly when you did. I needed it.
Tears.
I posted a video a week ago about acts of love. Her text to me is an act of love, and I will cherish it always, and it will fuel me to keep creating, because the vast majority of people are good, supportive, and can not only pronounce but spell four-syllable words. 😊
You know who you are, my friend. Thank you and I love you.
Comments like the last one keep me fueled for weeks. They are the reason why I love being a writer. They are the payment no book royalties will ever match in value.
Any old time you want to buy me a coffee, follow the link below:
Thank you for your kind words, my friend. It sounds like you are doing quite well in the simple living category. Well done, you! And bad luck? I don’t believe in luck at all. I control my destiny, not some cosmic roll of the dice. 🙂
Enjoy that simple lifestyle of yours, Ann!
bill
I find your positive attitude so inspiring, Bill. It’s calming and uplifting all at once.
I’ve spent hours with my grandchildren in the last two weeks and, although it’s tiring, it’s the most gratifying thing I do at the moment. They are so inspirational too, especially the 5 year old who sees joy in just about everything and has the gusto to take part in it all! The simplicity of life through their eyes is what I cherish – I see my own childhood (a wonderful one) once again and I am happy in the extreme.
I don’t understand those who whine about their ‘bad luck’ – life is what you make it. I know some are in dire straits but many get themselves out or at least try.
Thanks for all your wonderful writing and your constant ability to raise the standards and pick out the wonders of life and people and nature.
We are going to see our best friends tomorrow – they are fairly self-sufficient, level-headed and kind. They have found a good base in which to spend their retirement and they work for it but get great satisfaction out of it. In sharing some of their time with us, they inspire, with much humour.
As we see Spring begin to blossom, I’m looking forward to this, the best time of year.
All the best, Bill! Take care and continue your brilliant writing!
Ann
That’s just the way it was growing up in our neighborhood. I thought every neighborhood worked that way when I was growing up, right???
What woman (Mother) can forget the Best Barter deal in the world? Caring for one another’s children when needed, helped us thru the extra-busy times…..& gave us the comfort of knowing our kids were safe & happy!
I’ve been a huge fan of the barter system, my entire adult life! Friends helping friends can’t be beat!……”Happy Easter, my friends!” Big Sis/Paula
Marlene, I could have sworn I replied to your comment, but I don’t see it. Sigh! I love the barter system; I just hooked up another one with the coffee stand I go to daily. Free coffee in exchange for me taking care of her website. A win-win for us both, and those are the deals I love.
blessings to you always, my friend, and the love of friendship heading your way.
Ms. Dora, I am just trying to do my part to leave this world a better place but thank you. People like you give me hope that we are on the right track. 🙂
That is unbelievably kind of you to say, my friend. Thank you! I hope that writer’s block clears up soon. You have words to share with the world, and a legacy to build. Carry on, buddy!
I am so glad that I picked to check my email today and read the post about the Troll and the Treasure commenters. People make rash judgments when they feel a need to support their worldview by tearing others down. He will get his reward. Bill, you have inspired so many people, me being one. I felt all warm and fuzzy reading your post. I’ve been off social media for a while and have not been writing for nearly a year. You bring me back home when I read your stuff. I think I have writer’s block, but you have always been able to say things that bring me out of it. Thank you. It’s you, my friend. You hero to me.
Bill, I have to come expect nothing different than your continual love and positive attitudes shared through your excellent writing. The positives in life far outweigh the negatives that we experience, especially if we are as wise as you are. You’re my inspiration, buddy.
If that reader was lost at “…lived on a friend’s farm…” then that reader is out of touch with real life. We have a friend who lost everything due to no fault of his own. He was on the verge of being homeless. I couldn’t bear the thought that my husband and I have a farm with so much acreage that it would have been plain selfish not to share it. So we struck up a bargain where he could live on the farm. In exchange, instead of paying cash, he would pay in labor. The agreement was that he would help us on the farm when we needed it. We came up with a price per hour of labor, and when he worked the number of hours (25 hours per month), his “rent” was paid. It worked out beautifully. Limiting the number of hours he worked meant he could still have a life while helping us and there is dignity in putting a price on his labor. There was true value in the exchange. That’s what bartering is all about. Your troll is totally out of touch with the reality of life.