What If You ...?

                                                       Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

All too often we made decisions and take actions without considering all the consequences. Then we have to deal with consequences you didn't consider.

So, what if you made an angry post on social media. What consequences did you consider before posting? What might we have expected to happen? Did you think you would get positive feedback, "likes", "shares"?

Well, there probably would be some people who agree with you and even "share" you comment. There are likely a few who are turned off by your anger. They might think you are right but don't like the way you stated it. Someone might even block you. Some might reply in anger and argue with you.

What are some other consequences that go beyond your post and the social media? What you post may resonate with other angry people so that they have something to inflame their anger. They my pass it on to others. Someone might take it as an attack and become very defensive, turning others away.

Someone could even be so malleable they use your post as a reason to act out against whomever your post was aimed. They may be unbalanced enough to try to harm someone.

Obviously you don't have control over others who read your post. Their reactions are their own choices of behavior. But with stating your concerns assertively, without angry tone, you would probably get better responses. You might get a conversation exploring different viewpoints. That could be constructive.

Try looking at any situation with "What if I ..." Take some time to  consider possible reactions. Try using the exercise to look at what it might look like if you were more kind, a better listener, a positive influence, etc. How would it look if you were more kind, or a better listener, or a positive influence.

Then practice what you see. Become the best person you can be.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay