There are times of the year that are difficult for people for different reasons, perhaps the anniversary of the loss of a loved one, or of a traumatic event in their lives.
For me, it’s my birthday.
This past week, I marked another milestone in my personal story when I celebrated the anniversary of my 29th birthday yet again.
By this time in my life, I was sure I would be living in outer space like the Jetsons, with a robot maid named Rosie, of course. I would have more hit novels than Stephen King and more money than Warren Buffett.
Well, that didn’t work out like I planned. I know someone named Rosie — she’s super fun and full of energy and may well be a robot. I’ve written more news stories than Stephen King has, and while I am certainly not wealthy, I’m happy.
It is this time of year that I stop and evaluate where I am in life, and think about where I would like to be.
I’d like to be one of those people I see on HD TV in the doctor’s waiting room, who is a professional butterfly counter with a budget of $6 million for a house. I’d like to be an adventurer who travels the world looking for the truth behind legends like the Yeti and the lost city of Atlantis. I’d like to be a travel blogger, seeing the world while making pithy comments about “tourists.”
In reality, I would lose focus far too quickly to count butterflies, I don’t care for “roughing it” in the wilderness, and I’m not a fan of trying weird foods. So perhaps none of those would work for me.
But you know, I’ve come to realize that Dr. Seuss knew what he was talking about when he told kids to be themselves. “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”
Maybe the grass always looks greener somewhere else, but maybe that’s because it’s artificial turf. Or because it’s over the septic tank.
The point I am trying to make is we all have moments of self doubt. It’s hard not to, especially when keyboard warriors on social media attack what I do without having any idea what exactly that is.
When I, or fellow reporters, get upset over comments people make, I point out two things. One is Abraham Lincoln’s quote about criticism. “If I were to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how — the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.”
The second is an observation a politician made to me recently: The internet has taken the place of bathroom walls. Vitriol that used to be scrawled on a stall in a gas station is now posted on social media, and is worthy of the same consideration.
Years ago there was a groundbreaking, filthy rap album called “As Nasty As They Want To Be” by a group called 2 Live Crew.
The name of that album now could be considered an advertising slogan for social media. There are no filters. There is no demand for truth. There is no accountability for malice, lies, libel and false accusations.
There is no incentive — other than basic human decency — to be supportive and helpful rather than vicious and spiteful.
But I digress.
I’m going to keep on being the best me I can be. And I would encourage everyone else to do the same.
(Marcie Schellhammer is the Era’s assistant managing editor. She can be reached at marcie@bradfordera.com)
