Toxic Texters

No one wants stress. Well, other than Type As: whatever that means. What I find stressful is people, certain people. I love being around people. That's not the problem. It's how the people I am around are behaving that affects me. And I am sure it does you, too. There was a time when I was a worker and had to be with, at times, those who were rather toxic and it wasn't comfortable. One had to find a way to be tolerant. I must admit that some of them likely found me toxic, too. The world will not change because we don't like what's happening around us, therefore, we have to make the adjustment as best we can. If it gets too toxic, the only solution is to leave the area. But creatively. I think, it's called "ghosting" or some such other word popular amongst the texting bunch. Actually, I find them toxic. For example, to me, there is nothing more stupid than a group of people staring at a tiny bit of plastic, flipping their thumbs for no particular reason at all. What they are doing, I hear, is communicating. I don't need to be communicating constantly because even though I hear the thinly veiled insult "you think too much", I enjoy quiet thinking moments and around me, clear, peaceful space. I don't want my space filled up with background small talk that is so insignificant, it's a waste of air space. If one needs to be in constant stress, constant cell phone communication is the answer. Along with the toxic communication that is really pointless and inane for the most part, is the language, or lack of it, thereof. I do not find it "cool" or "cute" to see single capital letters as language. It isn't. It's shorthand to be sure, but should be called "short-brained" because it indicates "I am too lazy or stupid to use actual words". If what you need to say is important and must be done in an emergency, such as your location or a need you have that can't be met any other way, fine. Use short hand. Any other time, it's downright rude. In case you've been charmed by a teenager into thinking it is "modern" and you are "old fashioned", stand up for your rights and ideas.  A friend of mine who has young grandchildren has become ho-hum "young again" having her  cell phone constantly in hand and texting with capital letters I could care less about translating into real language. The greatest insult, I found once, was HNY on my computer e mail right at the end of a person's note. HNY, I learned later was Happy New Year.  That kind of greeting is a delete. It is not only foolish, it's downright insulting. Then again, since when is rude anyone's concern these days. I heard recently that encouraging people to lie to get out of what they don't want to do was"but everyone lies and the better you are at it, the better it works". Business is particularly good at it. Sales folk learn how to do it to make their living. There are times when I want simply, to step off the world and find somewhere that makes sense. Or it is only me? Back to toxic people. I have to say that people can be what they want to be, and it isn't my job to try and fix them. I will just not be around them if they are toxic. They create chaos and stress.  If you are a peaceful space seeker, and want to escape toxicity, we get each other and that's comforting. Give me the good and the true and the beautiful. Beauty is not air brushing or make-up or possessions or labels or texting; it's truth and kindness and conversation with human others.