mean people suck.

{photo credit: tgbusill}

here's my {not so new} observation...mean people suck.

what a way to start a blog post, right?

well, they do.

i used to see this in sticker form on the back of cars and think "wow, that's harsh."
my kids are not allowed to say the word suck. and it is not regularly used in our home.
{actually, it isn't used at all in our home. apparently, i reserve it for blogging purposes only.}

not to dig up old garbage, but...last year i was told by a fellow artisan that making pouches was her gig and chevron fabric was her thing and that i should just find something else to do. or find a different fabric to use since chevron was her fabric.   perhaps, i should continue making my cute t-shirts that i've already done so well on...her words, not mine.

i really let that bother me.

i didn't let it stop me from making pouches because, well, it is my responsibility to care for my family and, by golly, that's what my small shop does.  it allows extras for my family. 
but, i really let it bother me.

until, i asked a friend for her thoughts.
{i wish i had saved the exchange between us...but, i deleted it all in an effort to erase negativity.}
bottom line...my friend told me to "look around. there are hundreds of sellers on etsy using chevron."
i'm sure she encouraged me to keep my chin up and just be myself.

and i did.

and i let it go.

a few times since then i've had other situations that are just plain ugliness.
{i only used the above scenario to paint my picture}

would you be so mean to someone that was standing in front of your face?

i'm gonna go out on a limb to say, probably not.

there are too many gals {and guys} out there that think that the computer screen is this protector of all.

if i say this, it won't hurt her feelings.
if i send her this nasty convo, it'll be ok. afterall, i don't know her in real life.
i can get this off of my chest in an email and she'll understand. {or, it'll break her heart, but who cares...i don't know her}
i have NO idea what she is enduring in her own life, but i sure am going to tell her how it upsets me that fill in the blank.

ok, so don't get me wrong.
out of last year's 366 days, i had maybe 3-4 nasty-grams. well, 5-6 if you count the 2-3 that came from one person.

one nasty-gram would've broken my heart. really.

but, BUT, i let those ugly moments do something more.

i didn't just turn to a friend for advice.
through my tears and heartache {i know, SO dramatic} i turned to the bible.
what does God have to say about all of this??

He has a lot to say!

Proverbs 19:11 a man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 16:24 pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 15:4   a gentle tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

this is one i just love...
Proverbs 11:16 a kindhearted woman gains respect.  {i believe He was referring to being behind the computer screen AND in front of people you see in real life.}

Ephesians 4:32 be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:17 and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


i tell you all of this to simply say, be nice. please.

you NEVER know how an ugly word can wreck a person's spirit.
you, also, may never know how a kind word can bring someone back from darkness.