day 145 : {dear anonymous}

okay, you guys!
lets talk a bit about talking trash on the internet.
it seems like on any news forum, celebrity website or political article, you will find them.
them.
the anonymous {and mean} online commenters.
the people that say mean, disrespectful and hurtful things over the internet.

listen, this blog is about kindness. my business is about kindness.
i try hard each day to make this planet a teeny bit better than it was the day before.
i surround myself {both in real life & online} with humans who are good. they are positive. they lift up {dont tear down} and give a shit {not sorry for cursing today} about people, places and things {noun lesson from 4th grade?}

anyways, last week i sent out a survey for people that were // are involved in the be nice box. i care about my business and want it to be something that others dig, as well. i know that not everyone will come back for a second month. i know that not everyone will love what i am doing. i am aware that my definition of 'cool, handmade items' will be different than someone elses. i knew going into this that there might come a time when someone {or people!} said things that were going to hurt my feelings.

i knew that when i sent an anonymous survey to folks asking for honest feedback, i was setting myself up to hear things i maybe didnt want to hear. and thats fine. i want to run a movement surrounding change & kindness. and finding ways to lift up complete strangers. and for us to reach our maximum potential, i knew i had to ask others for feedback.

you guys! i got a survey back that was not nice. i mean, it was mean. it took a shot at my business {fine} and took a few shots at me {not fine}. it actually made me cry. and listen, i can take feedback. i want feedback. i have been in this business for 3 months ; there are going to be bumps. there are going to be good deeds in the boxes that are 'more miss than hit.' i am still learning. i am always striving to be better. and because of the surveys, i have made some changes that will start this month.

BUT, my point : it is never acceptable to be mean to people. EVER! it is not okay. i hate that as a society, we now think it is okay to attack people, politics, religions & humans {ect ect ect} because we are hiding behind a screen.

{and? next time you are considering leaving a mean // nasty // hurtful comment, be aware that while your name doesnt show up on the internet, your IP address does. AND IP addresses can {and are!} be tracked!}

the moral of this story : be nice! all the time. and if you cant be nice, be silent.
{note : if you have feedback that can help someone // a politician // business owner be better, than goodness, please share {with your name!}. but, if its something that is too mean to share WITH your name attached, you can be sure that its too mean to share at all!}

thanks for reading, you guys!
see you tomorrow ;)

both prints were created by will bryant!