So, I’ve been thinking about this a while and I wanted to throw something out to you guys and see what you thought. Now, a lot of you have been amazing at participating in Positive Post Tuesday, and this Tuesday, I wanted to try this out with sort of the same mindset. Here goes.
To anyone with a blog, Twitter, Facebook or any other one of the numerous social online network things, it’s no secret that at any given point of the day we can hop on thee old laptop and at the same time hop on thee old soapbox. We can speak our mind freely and openly without really much consequence. And those that are especially gifted with their wording can get away with saying whatever it is that they want despite the feelings of their readers. We can talk about what social networks are stupid, or awesome. We can talk about what our church is doing right and nit-pick everything they are doing wrong. We can discuss drama at our workplace, school or family. The freedom of our speech has never been more available. And I’d like to challenge you… and at the same time challenge myself. Are you ready?
I’d like to see us all who participate online to follow up everything we write with one simple symbol. + (positive) or – (negative). It’s that easy. Here’s the thought behind it. ”Is what you just wrote a positive statement / blog post / Tweet / ect? Or a negative one?” So what’s the challenge? To be completely honest with yourself and your readers. And I dare you to try it. I dare you to add one little character at the bottom of all your Tweets, blog posts, Facebook status updates, or whatever else you put online for the rest of the world to read.
My hope in this whole thing is to really focus on what I am sending out into the world. What’s my “emotional footprint” on this whole interweb thing? Am I one that is constantly throwing out negative (-) statements? Or am I focussing on, what I believe to be, a bigger challenge and keeping things uplifting and positive (+)? Now, sure the world is a negative place, and there will be times that I spout off and say something with more of a negative (-) tone, and I can only hope that I’m honest enough with myself and you guys to put that little dash (-) down there when I do.
So what do you think? You guys up for it? I dare you to give it a shot and tell your readers what you are doing.
Ready? Go.
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awesome idea….im in…
This is a cool idea, I’m totally up for it=]]
Why not? I’m in!
Done +
Perfect! +
no 0 for when we realize we’re babbling about absolutely nothing? lol
I like it. +
Brody, I am so proud of you for posting this. I know that sounds a bit goofy as I am not your mom, wife, or God – but, I just feel proud of you. And inspired as well. Love it!
This is the type of thing that makes Jesus bust out with one of those big cheesy grins!
Thanks.
Sort of funny that you should post this. I have had the same thought on my mind about what is the ‘emotional footrprint’ I am putting out there. In fact, I haven’t really tweeted at all in 2 weeks, I came to the point where I said, ‘ if I can’t tweet anything nice, don’t tweet anything at all’. Thanks for the challenge and affirming what God had already laid on my heart +
@adam, @melody, you forgot your pluses (I guess that’s a – for me)
But seriously, like blue said, what about if we are speaking in jest? What about neutral statements like “the sky is blue”? Is that negative or positive? I vote = for neither positive nor negative and / for sarcasm. I think I’m gonna have a lot of slashing going on…
Interesting thought here Brody–though I don’t know if I will actually do it–I might very well be doing it in my mind all of the time now-and that alone may serve the intended purpose. There are a lot of times I think to myself “I am going to tweet this” or “I am going to blog this” but I have a purpose for my blog and why tweet. So following that purpose sometimes stops me-because it would interfere with my purpose. Thinking this in my head may facilitate that more easily!
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I think there is a place for “neutral” statements, but if you think about it, even most of those statements are said with a positive or negative mindset behind it. If you say “The sky is blue.”, that could be either a positive or negative statement, depending on your thoughts on blue sky.
I guess the idea behind this is to just keep what we are saying in check. To climb off our soapboxes and spread some encouragement around this whole internet world. I know there will be ‘loopholes’ and ‘exceptions’. Luckily this isn’t a science, just an exercise in positivity. +
brody, you’re outstanding. this is a great idea! i have been striving lately to be a more kind and positive person, so this is really something that will make me think before i post something. thanks for being who you are!! you have alot of fans out here. thanks to your wife & kids for sharing you with us.++++++
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i love it.
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Sorry it took me so long to add my + to the mix. I like the idea. You reach enough people to make it work. If only I can remember to do it! I feel like everything we write or even say is subject to some form of emotional footprint. I’ll try to get in the habit. The – might be harder because I think it’s hard to admit when I’m being negative.
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This is the best blog idea i’ve ever heard. +
…and that’s not sarcasm either.. you can tell from the (+) at the end. +
[...] « Positive Or Negative [...]
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I really like this idea. My brother just tweeted the link to me, so I’ve never read your blog before, but I just might take you up on this idea, anyway. I’d probably have to stick up some kind of reminder because I’m rather forgetful… Anyway, thanks for sharing!
-Tabitha
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