The other day I was commenting on a post on social media and nearly ten to fifteen minutes later, realized that I had made a grammatical error within my response. It’s funny how my mind kept note of the error and simply reminded me of it within a short span of time. Lord help, if I was totally oblivious of the error and the social media grammar police came for me. Whew.
You know the folks. Every quarter, reminding everyone of the proper use of the likes of: its and it’s/ their and they’re. The grammar police keeping a careful watch of the proper use of the English language on social media- Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, etc. Social media friends and followers apprehensive about posting as they wish for fear of being dragged and worst, staunchly corrected.
Thinking further on the gatekeepers of the English language, with such policing going on, could this be one reason why some folks are afraid to step outside of their comfort zones. Afraid to make mistakes in charting new territories for fear of someone quickly calling them out. Is there a fear of living the life they really want to live but don’t want, not the social media grammar police, but the “life police” pulling them over telling them to straighten up and live normally, whatever that means.
Could this be a reason why contentment lives and thrives? I’m a true believer that contentment is a thing of the devil.
Aren’t we supposed to live and be in a constant manner of wonder and purpose? Experiencing lives which free the ills of humanity. Use our voices and positions for good and not for judgment of others. I met a woman about a year ago at a meeting. Moments into our introduction, she inforns me that she’s known by many to live life a bit ‘extra”. I smiled and nodded in agreement. But, immediately thought, shouldn’t we all live life a bit EXTRA. Shouldn’t “extra”, which is a prefix which means ‘”outside of’. be the norm and not the exception? I’m thinking, live extravagantly, no need for wealth. Live an extraordinarily, meaningful life.
There are many mistakes that I have made in my life throughout every step and stage. Improper grammar usage included. But yet, I press on. I’m sure there are a few who are posted up, watching, calling out my errors and then again, maybe not. And then again, who cares? For every mistake I’ve made, gratefully, I’ve also gotten a few things right and that feels good to know.
On my decision to relocate to New York City, nearly five years ago, most folks in my circle of life were supportive and a few thought that I was making an unsound decision. Truthfully, no one knew that I was ready, prepared for the transition, but me. No one could provide me with a stamp of approval. I simply knew within my heart and mind that it was time for next. So, I placed distance between self and the unsound decision group and pushed forward. Things have worked out.
Like the social media grammar police, there will always be those to call you out on your moves of life, some have merit, most don’t. So what if folks were correct in your improper use of “where” and “were”? This doesn’t mean they know how you should live your life. Especially, if it’s something that makes you happy. Something that makes your heart sing.
Like my new friend, strive to live life a bit EXTRA. The thing is, you will make mistakes, just remember, the only person you are trying to please, is not some arbitrary group, but your own fallible, Badass self.
Uniti next time.
~ Grateful Badass
**Want to receive the semi- monthly Grateful Badass Newsletter- “Grateful 5 Badass Things”? Click on the link below the image to subscribe now.
Interested in following me on social media? Click the link and follow me on Twitter, the Facebook Page and Instagram @GratefulBadass
