Life is tough. For those of us living in Michigan, it has been particularly tough over these past few years. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in this state who doesn’t know someone who has lost a job, a home, or both. Add those dramas to the normal life and death dramas we all experience, and it’s safe to say there are a lot of people in our midst who have had some very, very bad times of late.
But, only recently, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon arising out of this misery. Quietly, from around the edges of public discourse right here in Holly, people are expressing the intention to walk away from negativity.
You hear it in casual conversation, in discussions of issues both local and national, and in very personal confessions of facing bullies of all ages. We’ve had it. We are up to here with mean girls and mean boys and negative Nellies, and everyone else who thinks it’s just fine to kick us when we’re down.
This isn’t vapid Pollyannaism, an attitude that everything will be alright if we just wish it so. This is a conscious choice to step away from those who would drag us down. Wanna pick a fight or start a vicious rumor? Take it somewhere else, because the good people of Holly no longer want to play those games. We have work to do, odds to fight, issues to tackle, and petty games are an unwelcome distraction.
Neither is this attitude an attempt to avoid constructive criticism. It’s good to offer suggestions; it’s not good to undermine the efforts of others by throwing obstacles in their way, discouraging them, or by attempting to damage their reputation. And ignoring the contribution of hard-working others? Unacceptable. Bragging about your own success? Distasteful. Looking down upon those less fortunate? Despicable.
Many of us who would otherwise see our glasses half-full have seen our glasses spring a leak in recent years. And we’ve had people blame us, accuse us, gossip behind our backs, and do everything imaginable except help us stop the leak or find a fresh glass. We’ve also had a quiet few say, “Hey, it’s okay. My glass is leaking too. We’ll get through this.”
And so we shall. Without the influence of those who would cut us down.
When I was a kid, I was bothered by a neighborhood bully. My mom gave me this advice, “Just don’t play with him anymore.” I’ve noticed a lot of us here in Holly have embraced that simple philosophy lately, and if my childhood experience is any indication, it’s going to result in a calmer, happier life for us all.
Happy new year.