When Did it Become Okay Not to Care?

I can’t tell you how many times over the past few years I have heard people brag about how they say what they think; tell it like it is; and, don’t care whose feelings they hurt along the way.

In this social networking world we now live, where you share statuses, feelings and opinions from a keyboard, without having to look the other person in the eye and without having to witness the harm you may be doing by “telling it like it is”, I guess it becomes easy to be so callous. But, this type of behavior has spilled over into person-to-person social settings as well and people seem to think it is a character strength to say what you think no matter the consequence. I just wonder when that became okay?

When did it become a positive character trait, not to care? When did being rude, offensive, and uncaring become acceptable social behavior?

Now, I am all for being honest. I think there is a time and a place to brutally take a stance and stand up for what you think is right. But, I also think we can do so and still do it in a caring, loving and respectful manner. There are times when I do not say what it is that I think because I know it might hurt the listener or not be taken in the manner offered. There are times when I bite my tongue because, at that moment, it might not be important to be right. There are times when I am very careful about the words I choose to use so as not to be overly offensive or hurtful to those who might overhear what it is I have to say.

I hope that I never say, “I don’t care what anyone else thinks”, because I do care. Even if I do have something to say that might not be pleasant for the other person/people to hear, I do so because I care. If I do not care what you think, then why do I need to say anything in the first place – why not just keep my thoughts to myself?

The next time you hear someone bragging, “I always say what I think, I don’t care who doesn't like it”, tell them, “Well you ought to – it might make what you have to say easier to be heard.”

I think it’s time we started caring again. No matter what the issue; no matter what side of the argument you take; no matter the emotions involved; say what you have to say while also caring about how it might be received. Just a thought – one that I share with care.