I don’t know about you but I am seriously tired of every, minor phrase offending someone somewhere. Or making them feel judged. You can’t even say something as simple as “I made this decision for my family as it is what makes sense for my family” because someone who didn’t make that decision for their family feels like you are judging them for not making the same decision. I’m honestly starting to find existing in a world with other people to be a bit exhausting and ridiculous.
Why is it we live in a world where everyone is almost searching for something to be offended by? Is it just that with the internet and social media we have more access to everything going on everywhere? Is the news sensationalizing things to stir the pot? I wish I knew. I don’t feel like we should have to be taught how to stop being offended…but maybe we do.
One thing that I am noticing for sure is that people are no longer recognizing the intention behind what people say. Someone asking a mom who is pregnant with her fourth boy if they are going to try again is not suggesting there is something wrong with boys. Someone stating something is important for them to do is not judging someone else for not doing the same thing. Saying you dislike something is not the same as saying you hate everyone who likes that particular thing. Saying you don’t know how a working mom does it is not a backhanded compliment. Saying you would be so bored being a stay at home mom is not the same thing as saying you think stay at home moms are boring.
Yes, there are some things that are offensive no matter what. Yes, sometimes things are said in a mean, rude, or judging manner. However, so much of the time that is not the case. So much of the time we are just looking for a reason to be upset whether we realize it or not. So much of the time we are reading quite a bit into simple phrases that really do not mean what we seem to think they mean.
I think 2016 should be the year of not being offended. 2016 should be the year of giving each other some grace and instead of assuming people are intentionally being offensive, assuming their words are simple and innocent. We may not have control over what other people say but we can control how we react to those words. 2016 should be the year that we remember that again and learn to control our reactions and our perceptions. 2016 should be the year we scroll past the article we deem as offensive instead of sharing it with our friends and followers.
2016 should be the year of giving each other some grace and not be offended. Click To Tweet2016 should be the year we stop fighting with each other over ridiculous things and instead work together to fight against the important things like ending child hunger and stopping human trafficking.
I am just as guilty at being offending by these silly things as the next person. 2016 will be the year that I will stop. What about you?
Betty says
I like the part about how we react to others. That is utmost important.
Julie says
It definitely is. I read a quote a couple weeks ago that basically said that it is okay to have whatever emotion we are feeling. It is our behavior from that emotion that we need to monitor and control. The emotion is okay, the behavior may not be. Those words have stuck with me.
Karen Del Tatto says
Thank you for the reminder to give grace and to think the best of everyone, not read into words or even actions.
Love believes all things…
Julie says
Absolutely true.
jeremy@thirstydaddy says
Its crazy how people always assume the worst when they aren’t positive about what somebody’s intentions were.with their words
Julie says
It really is crazy how we automatically jump to the worst case scenario.
Melanie Redd says
What a good word, Julie! To give more grace and quit getting so offended!
There’s a wonderful pastor in my area that often preaches a message called, “Dust it Off!” He talks about brushing things off, letting things go, and not letting things bother you so much.
I found your post today on SHINE.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Julie says
I’ve heard similar messages as well. Maybe it’s time we all finally started listening. 😉 Thanks for visiting!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
People get offended so easily… and it really creates a lot of strife and heartache.
Such a good reminder here – and I’m in total agreement. Let’s have less disputes and frustrations in 2016 by not taking everything so personally.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…The Parenting Resolution: Make 2016 the Best Year!
Julie says
It’s definitely not worth the strife or heartache at all. Thanks for visiting, Jennifer. Shine is one of my favorite link parties. 🙂
Jenny says
Yes, I definitely think we are too easily offended these days. It is rather silly. Hope you have a great day. 🙂
Julie says
It is silly for sure. 🙂
Sarah says
2015 was certainly the year everybody got offended. I agree with you, it is exhausting spending time around other people because it seems like you have to walk on eggshells unless you want to risk getting into an argument with somebody.
Julie says
You’re right. It is quite exhausting.
Sarah Koontz says
YES and AMEN! It is easy to be easily offended, and it takes maturity and self control to choose not to be offended. I try to hold my tongue often and measure my words so I am not offensive, but I need to put the same level of effort into judging my reactions to others to make certain I am not wasting energy being offended about dinky little things. Thanks for the reminder. Visiting from Monday’s Musings.
Sarah Koontz recently posted…How to Write Your Own Manifesto in 2016 + Free Workbook
Julie says
It can be very hard to hold one’s tongue these days as a simple comment can suddenly be blown out of proportion. I definitely agree that a combination of watching your wording and watching your reaction is a winning combination. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!!
Long Ladies says
My coworkers and I were just discussing this same topic. Everyone IS easily offended. I can be counted among those (as ashamed as I am to say it) but I want to stop. I don’t like being easily offended. It doesn’t make me great friend material and it doesn’t properly showcase Christ’s love.
Thank you for speaking out against this! 🙂
~Haley
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I think in today’s world everyone feels the constant need to walk on eggshells in an effort to not offend people. But sometimes I truly think that we should be, like you note, worrying more about not being offended by off-handed comments or things where the intention was not to mean harm rather than guarding ourselves from offending others at every turn.