To Write or Not to Write

When I started this website, I was inspired. Over my retreat, words just poured out of me onto paper. Cliche yes but accurately stated. It was like, everything I had experienced or thought about over the course of the year or years rather, was suddenly ready to be released. I wrote blog after blog, the experience was incredible. Though you may see a few published, I actually have several unpublished works. Why they haven't been published? Well, Reality. Today's world is leaning progressively towards mutism. Though we have rights as Americans to freedom of speech, it seems every other day someone is either fired from a job, passed up for a job, or chastised on a national scale because of their outwardly expressed thoughts. Censorship is off the table. Now it's mutism. In today's world, speaking is becoming riskier than BASE jumping. Kapernick sits during the singing of the national anthem and later explains his reasoning to the press. All week his statement has been so heavily criticized many fear for his livelihood. His statement could have contributed to a much needed intellectual conversation America is overdue to have...instead, he like others before him will be condemned to a modern day witch trial. Yeah witch trial. You see much can be gained exploring our dear American history. The people of 17th century Salem feared and judged the victims of the trials for what they said and how they behaved. What most do not know about the trials is that (beyond the issues of food preservation) majority of the victims were women seeking an education...Americans seeking a voice against an oppressive society. We know their fate. Kapernick's fate may not include the drown or float test. Instead, his may be the loss of sponsors, fans, spectators, contracts, and whatever outlandish backlash folks think up. As I created my site, I was warned by my dad to be mindful, be careful of what I say online as if what I say on the regular is so edgy. For a while, I found that warning stifling and stopped writing. In a world so uptight and sensitive, how do you determine what is okay and what is not. We know what's outright offensive. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about expressing viewpoints, interests, thoughts. What if I said, I agree with Kapernick. Someone may comment "OMG!!! How can you do that?" An employer may say, "I'm not hiring her because she agrees." What if I flipped the script and said I disagree with Kapernick. Someone may comment "OMG!!! How can you do that?" An employer may say, "I'm not hiring her because she disagrees." What if I expressed an interest and said I watch cartoons. Someone may comment "OMG that's so juvenile!" An employer may make assumptions and say, "yes that really is juvenile. I cannot have someone on my staff so immature." Now what if I express how I feel after a hard days work full of frustration and annoyance. "OMG, what is wrong with you. I just can't believe you said that." An employer: "I see, well I'm not hiring her." To all who angrily type on their keyboards and judge make snap decisions on investing or divesting in a business, employee, etc, I ask this: Why? What is your fear? Yes fear! What is your expectation? How did you arrive at such an expectation? Why do you feel every person on the planet should aspire to your expectation? Why do you feel the need to mute all who do not measure up to your view? After this post, I shall end my hiatus and continue to blog for as long as I can. I write for me and I'm cool with sharing with you. My blogs won't be perfect. That's not my goal. My blogs may reference an episode of Boston Legal or Smallville. What I reference is my prerogative. As Bobby Brown would say, "I can do what I want to do." Because, by writing and posting, I release my thoughts and feelings so can renew my mind so to speak. And as always, when you do read something online that you do not like, click out the site. Close the tab. Go to a new site. Turn off the computer. Guess what? You do have the power and right to set your sights on something that makes you happy.