Societal Change

"Be the change you wish to see in others."Why do we seemingly live in such an angry and depressed community?Everything ranging from comments on Facebook to "discussions" (which seem more like thinly veiled arguments laced with accusations and anger) on local news media outlet sites almost always seem to have a very angry undertone to them. It is like many believe that if you're not with them you're against them and when you disagree with someone, it's not for the sake of discussion, but more so people seem to believe that it is a personal attack and rebuke you.  I have seen comments ranging from "you're an idiot" to just a complete attack on someone's character.Whatever happened to being in this together? What happened to loving your neighbor? What happened to the "Golden Rule"? Why must we as a society constantly fight and bicker?I know, for myself, I live in the county that has the highest rate of unemployment in the state.  At just over 13% unemployment, certainly this community has much to be angry about - the city leaders seemingly do not have a clue as to what the community truly wants or needs.  We have leadership that seems to be more interested in beautifying city hall than it is in fixing the potholes in our streets that can swallow an entire car.  We have an over-extended police force that is doing the best that it can, but with limited resources it is difficult to be proactive rather than reactive. That anger seems to be boiling to the surface more and more everyday, but the city and county leaders look as though they are turning a blind eye.Beyond all of this, it appears to me that Facebook and other types of social media outlets are going to be the bane of our existence.  These outlets allow for the average "meek and mild" Joe to grow some "big ones" and spew hatred and anger from behind a computer monitor and keyboard.  This allows anyone to say anything without the fear of retribution and regardless of who's feelings get hurt in the process.I would like to challenge each and every one of you that read this today.Do you believe that you can make it the entire day without doing or saying something that is outright negative or hurtful?  Pointing out the obvious is one thing, but vicious, angry rants do nothing to help society, they only make people more angry and more apt to lash out at the next person.Try this... Smile at a random stranger today.  Hold the door for someone.  Let someone go in front of you in the checkout line at the grocery store.  Overall, pay it forward. No random act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.So, go out into the world today with a different prospective.  Try looking at the world from a different vantage point.  While you're grumbling about the raindrops later today, remember there is a man or woman who will not have any shelter today - they will get soaked to the bone in the rain because they do not have a roof over their head.  They will go hungry because they have no money in their pockets.  They will be shunned by society because they look dirty or they smell badly.  They will also smile because they know that it could yet be worse.We live in the greatest country in the world and yet you would think that we live in Bangladesh - where countless lost their lives recently in a sweatshop that collapsed - while producing some of the clothing items that you will wear today...take that thought with you.