Good Morning, Friends,

So it’s Monday again; rainy here in the South, and I was up at 5:00 a.m. unable to sleep, mainly due to another freakin’ respiratory infection and coughing that I can’t seem to shake.  But I digress…

I came down the stairs this morning and turned on the coffee pot and as I’m waiting for the pot to fill just enough for me to pour my first cup, I begin my morning ritual of perusing Facebook, Twitter, etc.,just to see if I missed anything important while I was sleeping – or trying to anyway.  Something I saw really made me angry and once again question the decency of people, so of course I have to use this opportunity to add my two cents worth.

Does anyone out there ever use Tumblr?  I’m not a huge fan – I think it’s an “Instagram wannabe” but nevertheless, I check it out from time to time.  On many of the social networks that I use, I follow quite a few anxiety/depression support groups, mainly because every once in a while I will see a quote or analogy that will put a smile on my face, or help me find some answers to whatever is going on in my life at the time.  Plus, it’s a great way to help others who may be going through some of the same issues you are.  What many people don’t understand – or they do and they just don’t care – is that there are real people on the other side of the comments posted.  Some are even asking for help or encouragement just to get through another day.

This morning, I was scrolling through Tumblr and as usual, recommendations for followers popped up on my feed.  As I’m glancing through them, I see one particular individual’s page that frightened me.  The page was all black and the cover photo was something like, “Life would be so much better if I wasn’t here.”  I looked at the page and it was filled with quotes about death, sadness and anger; he/she was begging strangers to give her/him a reason to live.  It was heartbreaking.  Those who took the time to respond were kind, encouraging and comforting – providing phone numbers to support hotlines, or sharing their own stories of times they found themselves in a dark hole but managed to pull themselves out.  However, the scrolling stopped when I saw the post shown in the picture below:

WTF??!!!  What an insensitive ass!  Are you really so insecure that you have to attack people you don’t even know? Is your self-esteem so far in the toilet that you have to tear other people down?  Don’t you realize that this individual may not have anyone they can talk to and is using this forum for support?  I am so angry and disgusted with this individual right now and I feel sorry for the person that had to read this horrible rant by a dipshit who obviously has no soul.  Come on people…grow up and treat people how you want to be treated. What if someone said the same things to your mother or sister or wife? Or father, or brother or husband? How would that make you feel? Is it really that difficult to be kind on-line and post comments with class?

Last year, I published a post entitled, “Did the Internet Kill Kindness & Tact for Good?” and after seeing the above, I think the lesson included in my prior post bears repeating:

For those of you that need a lesson in online etiquette, remember the following:
• Do not post anything you would not want said to you
• There are real people on the other end of that keyboard, so remember their feelings
• If you do not agree with someone, do not respond right away. Step away and come back to it.
• There is no need for name-calling. You are supposedly an adult and should know a better way to get your point across.
• If you can’t do any of the above, then keep your comments to yourself.

Let me say this to the individual asking for help: DO NOT let the insensitive ramblings of one idiot who does not know you lead you to do something you – and those that love you – will regret.  There are good people in the world, there is help available and life – no matter how difficult it can get – is worth living.

To the asshole who made the conscious choice to write the CRAP response that you did:  You are a poor excuse for a human being.  If your only joy in life comes from hurting and berating people you don’t know, I have to wonder how you treat those in your life you claim to love.

I could go on and on for hours about this, but I will stop here – mainly because I choose to be the mature one and not stoop any further to this jerk’s level.  But let me leave you with one final thought:  Despite what our parents told us, WORDS can hurt – sometimes more than sticks and stones.  The cuts and bruises can heal, but WORDS can stay with a person forever.  Remember that the next time you choose to comment.

~SB

Dear Current and Future Generations: As you grow into adulthood you will be faced with a lot of temptation, challenges, sadness and even the occasional happy day. You will make and lose friends and be the source of frustration and joy for your parents every day. Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes and trying to find your […]

via An Open Letter to Teens — My Journey In Pieces

Often, we get upset because our friends don’t do something we want them to do. We reason that if they really were our friends they would readily do it for us. Yet, at the same time, we want our friends to accept us for whom we are. But then, we should do the same for…

via You Mustn’t Look for Perfection in Your Friends. You Must Look for Affection – Ruskin Bond — The Seeds 4 Life

Hello Friends!

Do you or someone you know need someone to manage your social media content on a consistent basis?  Are there just not enough hours in the day to use this AWESOME venue to promote your business or cause?  If the answer to both of these questions is YES, then I have the solution for you!

I’ve decided to turn my hobby into a business, helping others jump on the Social Media train. Some of the services I provide include:

• Social Media Monitoring
• Website Monitoring
• Social Media Page Creation
• Website Creation
• Researching and writing relevant content for your pages and website
• Email Marketing

Please check out my website at TMS MARKETING SUPPORT, follow my blog, and let me know how I can help.

Thanks for your continued encouragement and I’ll see you on the web!!

~Tina

A special shout-out and thank you to Bianca at Lifeatture for the nomination!

I am honored and it means a lot to me!  Thanks again!

 There are 11 questions I must to answer, then I will be sharing 11 facts about myself, and last, I will be nominating another 11 blogs to do the same!

 Questions for me from Bianca:

1.  How long have you been blogging? I have been writing my whole life; however, I started blogging about 5 years ago. I was caring for both of my parents and my blog became an outlet for me.
2. What made you pick the topic(s) you blog about? I blog about a lot of things and right now there is no set topic. When I started this particular blog it was intended to be a forum for sharing short stories and other creative writing works; but suddenly I was overwhelmed by ideas and thoughts about various things and eventually this blog represented a Hodge podge of thoughts and feelings on a day to day basis.
3. Do you prefer the snow & cold weather or warm & sunny weather? Definitely warm and sunny weather. I can’t stand the cold and I would prefer to be standing in sand on a beach instead of snow in my front yard.
4. What’s your ultimate goal in life? I would like to make my living blogging and writing for the rest of my life. It’s what makes me happy and there are times I am surprised at the thoughts roiling around in my head.
5. If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be? Either Hawaii or Australia. I would love to visit both.
6. What are your hobbies? Writing, music, reading, concert-hopping in the summer
7. What’s the last book you read? I used to have several books going at one time; however the last book I read was The Orphaned Adult: Understanding and Coping With Grief And Change After The Death Of Our Parents by Alexander Levy.  Unfortunately, I haven’t had the desire in the last few months to read as much as I used to but I’m getting there.
8. What couldn’t you live without? My friends, family and my cats
9. Which is your favorite social media: Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter? I’m a social media junkie and Facebook was always my “go to” page; however, lately I’ve really gotten involved with Twitter.
10. What’s your favorite animal? – Cat – I have 2!
11. Favorite movie of all time? I love old movies and I think my favorite movie of all time is a toss-up between Imitation of Life (the remake –not the original) starring Lana Turner and Sandra Dee and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hepburn. I had to include the latter because Spencer Tracy’s final speech gives me the chills and makes me bawl like a baby.

11 Random Facts about Myself:

1. I can be a bit OCD. I like things a certain way and in a certain order and sometimes I get on my own nerves!
2. I was an extra in a made for HBO movie called Iron-Jawed Angels starring Hillary Swank and Patrick Dempsey. Although the concept was exciting, it is something I will never do again.
3. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout.
4. My favorite car is a purple Volkswagen convertible with a white top. (I really really want one!)
5. My mom took me to the television show Romper Room when I was a kid. I cried the whole time and spit up on the host.
6. I am a Walking Dead junkie!
7. I collect magnets and shot glasses (the latter to keep up my mom’s tradition)
8. I lived in Boston, Mass for 2 years, but I am a southern girl at heart.
9. I constantly make up quotes in my head and keep a list of them on my phone.
10. I sucked as a high school student, but went to college later in life and graduated with honors, earning both my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
11. I never forget a face. Do you know how annoying it is to be watching something on television and recognize someone who played in a crowd scene on another show?  LOL

11 Blogs I nominate:

1. ATURE
2. A Beauty and Health Journey
3. Joy’s Travel
4. Indrashish Mitra
5. Earned Grace
6. Myrdessa
7. Linda Ikeji’s Blog
8. Mrs. Daaku Studio
9. The NY Scene
10. Just Jalisa Dot Com
11. A Fashionholic’s Life

If you were nominated: 11 Questions for the Nominees to answer. Remember, the 6 simple rules are above! Thanks and blog on! 🙂

1. What is your favorite time of day?
2. If you could be granted one wish, what would that be?
3. Name 3 things you must have if you were stranded on a desert island?
4. When it comes to cravings, do you prefer sweet or salty?
5. What is your morning drink (if any) – coffee or tea?
6. What is your favorite genre of television; i.e, drama, comedy, reality?
7. How many photos are on your cell phone right now?
8. What is one thing you want your readers to learn from your blog?
9. What is your favorite song?
10. What was the last concert you went to?
11. Is there a habit or vice you have that you wish you could break? If so, what?

Now readers, I ask a favor of you, please check out all of the above blogs and drop a comment and subscribe to their blogs. I bet they would return the favor if you are also a blogger!

They said the first year would be the hardest
But I’m not sure that’s true
It’s even harder this second year
Living each day without you.

I still look for you each morning
When I come down the stairs
I hear your voice each night
And I feel your loving care.

I hope you’re happy, Mom
And free from all the pain
Dancing with daddy on a cloud
No need for a walker or cane.

Please don’t worry, I’m okay
And doing the best I can
If you can hear me, know you’re loved
And one day we’ll walk hand in hand

Love Always,

Teapot – aka – your “little snapdragon”

A book, a beer, a towel and a chair – I have all I want. As the sun shines down on me, not a cloud in the sky, I feel the warmth of those I have lost surrounding me – protecting me. I think of my mom and dad and how much […]

via — My Journey In Pieces