One of my favorite food bloggers, Nandita (saffrontrail) has shared her experiences, attending a women-only conference named Festivelle. At the end of her post, she has listed down her learnings from this conference. While going through this list, I was nodding my head at each point. I highly recommend you take a look at her post.
One of her points is "Be kind- in person, in thought and on social media."
Given that we have numerous channels to express ourselves through words, it is highly imperative that we use these forums wisely. Before posting something on social media, let’s take a moment to think if we would say the same thing to someone on their face. If not, then let’s refrain from posting.
JK Rowling in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” conveys it beautifully -
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”
A few weeks back, I had shared this post on FB after a bitter incident:
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Sometimes, a stranger whom you haven't met in person can be so kind and offer encouraging words
And a person who you thought of as a friend can turn his/her back all of a sudden and reveal his/her true nature.
More so, in the age of social media
where typing something harsh is so easy
Offering kind words in person is a difficult task
The power of words
Can uplift someone
Can also try to pull us down
Let's use them wisely
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Can our words uplift someone? Give direction and guidance? Inspire a handful to take positive action? Can they provide solace? Comfort in a difficult situation?
I’m grateful to the numerous blogs and forums that offered me so much help and advice in the initial years when I became a mother. Phrases such as “hang in there”, “nothing to worry”, “things will be alright”, “We’ve all gone through that”, “you’re not alone” sound simple but when conveyed at the right moment, can be so comforting.
Though I have been fairly active on social media, I consciously try not to get into any arguments or unproductive discussions. I rarely rant about anything personal or crib about things that aren’t right. Social media as a channel gives me the space to express my beliefs and share my ideas/thoughts on health, nutrition, fitness and well-being. Most of my posts are around these topics and I hope atleast a few people can resonate with these ideas. In this big advertising world where there are billions spent in promoting processed/packaged/junk food, my posts on local/traditional/home-made food are like a speck of dust in the vast universe. But I’m sure, over time, these posts would help more people to ask deeper questions about food and health.