Monday, April 28, 2008

Why do they do it ?



You know, I wish I had a dollar for every time I've taken a quick glance at someone's blog out of curiosity and found something less than appealing on it, whether it has been an offensive photo, a blog entry railing on some unknowing boss or someone's bad blind date. Whatever the subject, I am really starting to wonder why people don't think at least four times about the ramifications before they post something on a blog that's less than socially acceptable. As an article I recently read on the subject quotes, "This generation didn't invent stupidity.. it's just the first to post it online for all the world to see."
As a matter of fact this same article made the point I want to make in this entry with this quote.
"Anything you post online is public information."
If you don't understand that, then you shouldn't put anything online. The biggest misconception that people have about the internet are those who think that any type of interaction online is private. There's no such thing as private and online and that's regardless of the forum or what you deem as deserted. As a matter of fact a potential employer can simply Google your name and a lot of information comes up about you that you might think is none of his/her business. This is the information age and they can and will find out many things about you. You can't control mandatory data but you can control the information you supply about yourself, personally.
That is why I don't understand why a woman would post nude photos of herself online. I've seen a few photos posted on blogs that made me want to vomit. I've seen quite a few images online, quite by chance, that didn't belong where they were posted. These photos involve human beings with brains. Why do they do it? Only they can answer that, but I have a sneaking hunch that most of these people really didn't think a whole lot before they went to the trouble to alert all internet viewers of the inane action they just made against their own person.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that in the beginning of my ventures online, which were merely e-mails at first, I allowed myself to become embroiled in online fighting. When my hypertension got the best of me for about the fiftieth time (probably over someone making a mean comment to me about a poem I posted on a poetry web site ) I realized that some battles weren't worth getting embroiled in and I couldn't control what they do but I could control what I chose to place. After that, it was smooth sailing for the most part. It's one of the reasons that blogs are so popular. It's your baby and you get to say who stays, who goes and what's on the menu. It's also your chance to show your true self.
Or not.


The Castle Lady keeps you in line and online

in style ! Kisses and hugs !

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

The King of Spring

     When Spring returns each year I start to think about how I can improve and streamline my life. Simplifying your routine or surroundings is a better way to get control of what may be out of order or not looking the best professionally or domestically. In my case the two are hopelessly intertwined because a good part of my actual work is done at home. Most people just clean, throw out what they term junk and get ready for a season of accumulating.
     For me, Spring is more than just getting ready for summer or warmer months ahead. It's a time to renew my mind and form my surroundings to synchronize with my mind. I do my best thinking, writing and living when everything is in rhythm. I like to make major changes at this time of year. I started my first business in April of 1990. I moved back to my native Colorado in April from San Diego in 1983 after living there for a few years. These are major changes  but I made them without thinking twice because I was prepared and ready for change.
     I can't imagine the mentality of not wanting to change or denying other people the opportunity to redefine or completely turn their life around. If life is about anything in particular it's growing, learning, transforming and becoming all you are meant to be. This requires that you become a little more flexible in your schedule, perhaps making sacrifices or repenting of old attitudes and opinions. It's not an easy task for many people. So often, people miss golden opportunities because they cling to what they know. The strangest sanctuary people return to is "things have always been this way and it's never going to be different". In truth, they don't want to modify their lives in any way because remaining the same gives them a false sense of security.
     For those who are resistant I would give a stern lecture on thinking only inside the box at all times. I believe they do it because they are full of fear about the future and knowing tomorrow will be the same as yesterday is preferable to having to face the unknown. This is an especially sad attitude for young people. I have never taken this attitude and it's opened many doors of adventure, enterprise and just plain joy for me. I don't want to live the way most people live and not because I think it's boring but because I don't believe it's real life.
     Limiting your experiences and sticking with the tried and true may feel, for some, to be practical and safe but in the long run nothing is to be gained by never risking anything. It is the opposite of gambling and furthermore- not any less addictive. There is something oddly obsessive about attaching the word "normal" to our lives especially since no one really seems to know what that is anyway. Maybe the real question we should all ask ourselves is, "Does my life make sense?"
 
The Castle Lady filling up your senses!   
      
      We are not the same person this year as last; nor are those we love.
It is a happy chance if we, changing,
continue to love a changed person.
- W. Somerset Maugham