Softening Bad News
Rocking a baby is so very therapeutic. I was giving Reign a bottle this morning, and it seems that whenever I do this, I can clear my head.
While snuggling with the little guy, I rehashed a conversation I had with my dad from last night. And when I say conversation, I mean him telling me like it is. Love you Dad, but seriously.
It all started with me asking him for some information on what to get my step-mom for Christmas. It was a fun, light-hearted conversation, until he asks, “Do you still have that thing up on the computer?”
“What? My blog, Yep!” I was instantly excited because I thought he couldn’t remember what the website was called, and wanted to check it out.
“Take it down.” he said sternly.
“Why?”
“I’ve had some negative comments about it. Take it down.”
“I’m not taking it down. I’m proud of it.”
“Lisa, two people have made some comments about it, and if you’re going to get a job, a potential employer can pull up your name and see it. Take it down.”
“Who made the comments?”
“It doesn’t matter. Just take it down.”
Don’t you just love it when someone comes to you with information, but won’t provide you with the sources?
“No, Dad, I’m very proud of it, and I’m not ashamed of anything.”
“It’s not about being ashamed. It’s not me or your step-mom, but it’s people who are very close to you. Take it down.”
“Nope.”
“Lisa, one day, when you are trying to look for a job, a potential employer can look at it.”
“Well, I’m not taking it down.”
“Take it down.”
“No. If those people, who you won’t mention, don’t like it, they don’t have to read it.”
Honestly, I don’t care if there are people who don’t like my blog. It’s not for everyone. And seriously, if a potential employer read it, and decided not to hire me, because I’ve lived and experienced life, then I think I’d be better off not working for them. I’m pretty sure the uneasiness stems from my candor regarding my experiences as a 16 year old teenage mom. Who cares. I’m a better person because of it.
We don’t want to upset others because we are uncomfortable dealing with emotions. We buy into the saying, “To get along, you need to go along.”
We are socialized from childhood to soften bad news or to make nice about awkward subjects. When you are trying to understand candor, you are really trying to understand human nature.
Based on my stats, I have plenty of daily visitors who would appreciate me continuing with my blog. If anyone would like to post any comments regarding keeping it up and running or take it down, it would be greatly appreciated. Any feedback would be welcome.
Sorry, Dad, I love you, but it’s staying put for now.
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December 24th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Hey Lisa,
Whenever I’ve been on facebook and saw a link for your blog, I’ve always clicked on it to see what you’ve written about. I’ve enjoyed reading all of your entries, including the one when you were a teenager. I will admit, I was like WOW but I was also intrigued to keep reading. It takes a lot of courage to talk or write about negative things from your past.
I’ve been journaling since I was about 12 and writing has always been my outlet. If someone tried to take away my journals, I would not be a happy camper. After reading a couple of your entries and searching other blogs, I decided to start my own. I’m pregnant with my first child and even though I’ve been journaling about it since day one, I thought it would be fun to share my experience in a blog.
Continue writing about whatever you want. One of my favourite authors is Stephen King and you can only imagine how many people tried to discourage him from writing about what he enjoyed. If people don’t want to read something, they don’t have to. Keep writing!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with your blog. You have had some serious stuff you have written about (post partum depression) and some fun stuff (china and chicken pot pies), They are all subjects relating to your life, no bashing or insults towards anyone.
If people who don’t agree are reading it (sorry dad!!!), it is out of human nature, they may not like the blog but are curious/nosy etc. Sort of like driving by a car accident……you can’t help but look no matter how bad it is!
Nowadays with the internet, you can’t even sneeze without anyone knowing. So if a blog offends people, are they on facebook and are they are on your friends list? Maybe they should not be on Facebook as that can cause a lot more harm than a blog (how many people comment on FB whether bashing work, a loved one or someone they can’t stand) which can get them in as much trouble? Facebook is a lot more worldwide with a lot more people interested in it than someone reading about a housewife’s daily life.
Depending where you are going or what you are planning to do for work, I think unless you are becoming Prime Minister, if this blog (so far) came into the public’e eye, I don’t find anything harmful about it. Maybe the chicken pot pie would make Martha Stewart cringe and post partum depression is making society more aware of issues that had to be hidden 20 + years ago.
So here Lisa is one for thought and hopefully it makes you smile, as I did when I read it. It is borrowed from Facebook :
“”When people cut you down. Or talk behind your back. remember they took time out of their pathetic lives, To think about you.”"
December 29th, 2009 at 9:13 am
like every entry, I like it and think you should continue it!
January 18th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I really enjoy your blog keep it up