What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Monday, August 20, 2007

A necessary Evil

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Most of the time, inviting people to comment on my life as represented by this blog, is a blessing. I have some of the most generous and kind readers I know. Generally, after checking comments I feel uplifted, supported, and encouraged. I am overall, happy to have taken the time to post something.

Having had this blog for two years now, however, I have become aware that, in order to blog, you must have some pretty thick skin because people can leave nasty-grams at the silliest things. Something you said that you would NEVER have expected to illicet such a response. Some picture that seems innocent enough but, to some, may offend. Most often, it is ridiculous stuff anyway and so, my 'thick skin' isn't bruised badly because I see how silly it all was in the first place.

One such comment was made this past weekend and so, I felt I must address the problem now.

I do not appreciate nasty-grams on this blog and would ask that if you have something to say to me in regards to something I have posted, please do so with gentleness and respect. Part of that, means that I know with whom I am 'speaking'. I REALLY do not want to stop anonymous comments, because I have several wonderful 'anonymous' visitors whom I don't want to shut out.

I AM asking, however, that if you comment under anonymous, that you include your name for me. It is only common decency to know to whim you are speaking in real life, and I think NOT sharing that information over the internet gives people the opportunity to speak their minds without repercussions. I have decided that I will be deleting EVERY anonymous comment made that is not accompanied with a name. In the future, please respect my wished and sign your name. Likewise, please don't waste your time commenting if you don't plan to sign your name. I know your time is more valuable than that, as is mine.

Let me stress: I DO NOT MIND you disagreeing with what I have said. Nor do I mind you TELLING me so in the comments section. I appreciate the fact that we are all different; that we have different ideals, different motivations, and different theories on things. I look at these differences as the opportunity to make life interesting and to learn from one another. Feel free to comment your differing ideas on this blog, however, when you do, take the time to convey it properly. I have seen, that many of the comments made in disagreement have reflected great audacity in the way they are written...a way that people would never DARE to speak to one another face to face. Please remember to always speak in kindness. Your anonymity shouldn't give you any liberation in graciousness. On this blog or ANY OTHER.

Finally, may I remind you that YOU hold to power to vist with whomever you like. If you don't like me, don't visit. If you don't like what I stand for, or what I post about, or my life as represented by this blog-don't waste your time! Feel free NOT to visit me.

This blog is a HAPPY place for me. A place to share my family with friends and family afar, a place to document our lives for the future us, a place to make NEW friends and a great outlet for myself.

The contents of this blog will NOT change per the request of a reader. I don't do that. So, if you don't like what you see NOW, you probably won't like what you see in the future. So-why waste your time?!?

There.

That is done. Off my chest.

I hate leaving things on such a sourpuss note, so I will come full circle and leave off where I started.

I thank each and everyone of you for visiting my blog-each day, each week, or when you think of it. I TRULY appreciate the comments you all share, so graciously with me, whenever I can get them. I appreciate you taking interest in my life and the lives of my family. I appreciate you sharing YOUR lives with ME. You all fill up a goodly portion of my happy life, and for each of you and your kind comments I most grateful.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

GRRRRR! I HATE THIS BLOG!!!!

GRRRR! THIS IS THE WORST EXCUSE FOR WASTING TIME THAT I'VE EVER SEEN!!!!

GRRRR! I WISH YOU'D STOP POSTING PICTURES AND WORDS BECAUSE I FEEL SICK LOOKING AT AND READING THEM!!!!

GRRRR!
AND FOR GOOD MEASURE, GRRRRR!

signed very much not yours
and, not to forget, anonymously,
Anonymous

p.s. I am glad you're not deterred by anonymous naysayers, and, lest you need to be told, I meant the exact opposite.
signed very truly yours,
Abby

Ellie said...

I responded to the comments of your nasty gram, I bet that person is shaking in their boots now!

Rebecca, you do not know how many days I have had a crummy day, and I come down and sit here and the first thing I do is check your blog, and I feel like all is okay with the world again. Don't ever change, you are so talented, and such a blessing to so many. I am hoping to get my blog up and running again, then you can stop by and give me pointers!
Love,
Ellie

Carmichael Family said...

That is terrible that people would leave negative comments like that and do so anonymously!!! I always love coming to your blog and gain lots of encouragement, laughter, insight, and happiness from it. So keep posting exactly the way you always do! :)

Sommer said...

I for one think folks are silly to comment negatively about your blog. It is lovely, honest and refreshing! So keep up the good work...I'll be back again and again:-)

Lots of love,
Sommer

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and your pictures and many, many of your ideas! I respond anonymousily because I am not sure how else to do it....but I always sign my name.

Crystal....in Pahrump, NV