social media

Where Are We Going?

/ Penny L Howe

Where are we going is an excellent question. I don’t believe most of us (each with differing levels of experience and background) really know. We’re currently too busy putting up emotional barriers because, honestly, we’re overwhelmed with information.

Information/graphic/videos that change daily. Information that’s often not complete or accurate. Information based on hearsay, opinion and in some cases pure fantasy. Information being shared for the sole purpose of advancing specific agendas; be they for the purpose of selling something (products, services, ideas, beliefs, politics, etc.) and/or a deliberate attempt to steer us emotionally in different ways.

Remember each human is in their own place and time with their learning curve, so when exposed to large amounts of information, havoc becomes the norm for most of us as we’re continuously exposed to the daily online world’s onslaught of everything.

Consequencely, to discern, separate fiction from fact, to moderate within ourselves the value of various types of social media (which is also heavily corroded/intertwined with advertising) is difficult.

Therefore, with this in mind, for both increased health and sanity, let’s see how this may be accomplished by us. In the meanwhile …

Stay safe and strong. I wish you well.

– Penelope

The Sound of Hurtful Silence

/ Penny L Howe / 12 Comments

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

It hurts … inside of me. Why has a country I am so proud of become so accepting of rude and crude behavior within both our social and news media?

I understand one can be angry about circumstances and situations. I can relate to the unfairness we see witnessed on many occasions. But the constant unrelenting barrage of rude and crude language and behavior is not needed and it makes of us so much less than what I know us (Americans) to be.

In the past handful of years, I first thought it was an anomaly occurring on social media with just a few indulging in profanity and boorish behavior. And then I began noticing more and more of the same along with intense verbal bullying and the degradation of an individual or a group. With each passing day I am witnessing even more of this same breakdown in what should be common respect and courtesy: Lack of moral fiber, the inability to say something without reducing the subject matter to the most base of terminology. And this is happening in both social and the public news media.

Many of those who do not engage in this behavior act as if it doesn’t exist. There is no moral outrage being expressed, just a pretended ignorance – this is so very sad. It says that we (the people) would rather accept this behavior than be vocal about the wrongness of it, for I am convinced that much of the negative emotions being felt and expressed in our daily lives are directly related to the universal acceptance of completely unacceptable social behavior.

Silence can be a good thing but it can also be a very bad thing when wrong behavior is happening and the majority of people pretend to ignore it, thereby making it acceptable. And whether it’s a popular celebrity or a politician (and an especial shame on them as their behavior is often emulated by those in the private sector) or we private citizens, the results are the same.

Small wonder our current political arena is such a mess. There is almost no dignity, only mud slinging and filthy rhetoric which as we all know is incredibly exhausting to us, leaving many indecisive, confused and fearful.

Public media (both social and news) should be about  people informing each other with information, and or an exchange of thoughts, ideas and feelings being expressed in terminology that is not degrading and disgusting.

My spirit is sad at this continuing painful and negative turn in the daily events of our lives. I am hopeful it changes and that each of us begin to accept a part of the responsibility for allowing this to not only happen but to fester, growing into the nasty beast it has become.

Thank you,

~ Penny

The Exquisite Nature of Nurturing – Try it, you’ll like it!

/ Penny L Howe / 7 Comments
Viadana

Photo by Alberto Ghizzi Panizza

♡

Nurturing (definition): The process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.

This is a very good week to nurture.  Of course so was last week as I imagine next week will be also, there being so much negativity and meanness proliferating everywhere.  However I do believe that by making nurturing a priority in the NOW of our lives, it can make a positive difference for you, myself and everyone involved in this positive process.

One of the outstanding features of nurturing another person(s) – regardless of perceived or real differences – is that both are rewarded. Nurturing (caring for another) soothes and strengthens life and, as previously mentioned, right now we humans need a whole bunch of nurturers and nurturing.

In scientific speak (for those interested),  nurturing or being nurtured creates a mind-body connection during the giving/receiving process because of  the neuropeptide molecules (chemical substances made and released by brain cells) sending soothing messages all over the body.

When receptor sites receive these neuropeptides a positive change occurs. The body fluids are attracted to specific receptors that grow directly off our cell structures or DNA. Protein-like neuropeptides provide our brain cells with a method of communicating with other cells by latching on to these receptor sites at which point our mood states and behaviors are altered in a positive way.

Because these peptides are also found in our immune system, the nurturing process is not only a mental and emotional nourishment but also a physical one. How great is that?

So my hopeful thought for all of us this week is to – nurture on my loving caring friends. Nurture on!

♡

With much love and affection,

~ Penny, ♡

OMG, The Gorilla in the Room

/ Penny L Howe / 4 Comments

image

I’m an American. Just one person, but I feel as if the “gorilla in the room” has not only grown to gigantic proportions but has taken over intelligent rational minds, many  of whom I never would have expected to belittle themselves by spreading fear and hate (or passively going along) with the use of vularity and bullying tactics.

I am proud to be an American, but am very worried about the direction we Americans are allowing ourselves to be herded towards.

Whether it is apathy, indifference or some other thing it is horrifying and more than a little scary.

I, for one, am hopeful more Americans wake up from this sick unreal “reality show” that so many are currently living with their guidance (dependence) for how to behave directly related to the deceptive and artificial media and social media world.

Just so scary … I mean really!!!!

Penny L Howe, 2016

I Don’t Know About You But …

/ Penny L Howe / 4 Comments

image

… Freedom Of Speech (while not coming with a specific caveat regarding good manners and acceptable social behavior) does indicate that it should not be intrusive or take away from another citizen(s) and yet (I shall repeat this) …

AND YET … voicing your right to express your opinion now obviously includes the right to be openly cruel, petty, malicious, mean, insensitive, and judgemental to others not in agreement. (That IMO is frequently voiced because of not adequately understanding/ misinterpreting facts or a situation, or just plain feeling the need to be obnoxious to get attention).

Whether it be any social media source or any news media source, rude behavior seems to have become the acceptable norm.

Verbal personal attacks are horrible examples to pass on to children and each other. It achieves nothing positive of value, in fact it would indicate our values are currently residing in the gutter.

Do I have a point, other than the obvious diminishment of self worth and respect for/from others? Yes, because it is just as important in our ability to come together (inspite of differences) as a country for the good of all of us for improvement and advancement of our lot in life.

The sad thing is I don’t anticipate much reaction from this except some head nodding in agreement because for the most part … WE have accepted this current status quo, meaning … We The People of this awesome country … are as guilty as those who actively participate in rude, crude, cruel and mean bullying behavior. Because we’ve  accepted it, which, as you know is painfully obvious each and every day!

Oh, and one other thing, being strong does not mean being brutish and insensitive to other people … EVER!

That’s it.

Why You Should Hurry up and Slow Down!

/ Penny L Howe / 19 Comments

image

You should try sitting still – for just a few minutes every day – rest your body & mind and while you’re sitting there, try reflecting on the WHY of what you do every day. You may surprise yourself with some of your answers.

image

We live in a crazy hurry up world. And its not slowing down. But you can. All that’s needed is a little bit of preplanning to remove from your life whatever isn’t helping right now, be it an activity, certain thought processes, or a person.

1. Activities – Anything you do that is done out of habit, and not necessary or helpful to you, think about letting it go.

You might also consider the amount of time you spend with social media, just sayin’.

If you are constantly called upon to do favors for others, who don’t reciprocate in their turn, regarding your needs, start saying no to them. Doing things for others is nice, but can be very time consuming (this includes family members).

2. Worries – If you spend a fair amount of time worrying about things then it’s time to make a list and see which of those worrisome things you can actually do something about. Effort on your part will be required, but the end result is you’ll have less things to worry about.

3. People – There are people out there with poor attitudes and an overall negative outlook on life. You don’t need these people around you. They’ll go out of their way to tell you what you’re doing wrong or what’s wrong with you or someone, or something you care about.

Dump them. You don’t need them or their negativity. And chances are they’re also one of the items you spend time worrying about so you’ll have removed two things that take away precious time, a person(s) and an item on your worries list (this also includes family members).

image

Bottom line here is value yourself highly by BALANCING your needs with time spent. If you aren’t good to yourself, those you do care about will suffer – as will you.

Thank you for stopping by, have a great time saving day!

~ Penny

Staying Creatively Involved – in a Social Media Overloaded World!

/ Penny L Howe / 18 Comments

Needed

 

Why do we blog or tweet, share videos, stories, photographs, quotes and so on? Why? Well I’ve narrowed it down to three main reasons.

The first is desiring the activity itself of social interaction and connecting. The second reason is to sell something.

But the third reason is the one I find most compelling. And I think the truest reason that most of us (non-retail) people engage with social media. It is the very real and personal need to share ourselves with others. For others to know about us and how we feel about things, and to care.

We’re human and we need to be needed, appreciated, understood and considered to have value. Reaching out in the world of social media, in general, brings an interaction of like-minded people sharing ideas, opinions and creativity. Some of it’s bad, because there are a few out there who want to upset the apple cart, but most are like us, and they care and want the same in return.

As social media platforms morph and change, hang on to your personal sense of creativity; that is to say – how you feel about sharing. Because it’s working and your words and content do and are making a positive difference (even if you think otherwise).

We do need each other. And All are important in the scheme of “life’s” things.

I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead, may it be positive, creative and filled with love.

 

With affection,

~ Penny

Have you ever noticed – The thing is …

/ Penny L Howe / 5 Comments

peace_of_mind-wide

 

The thing is … Today – truth,  fact and social media hype seem to be closely related, meaning you’re not ever sure about what’s being said. And this holds true whether its on the news, or as I mentioned above in one of the social media platforms. Some things however, we just know.  We do!

and

The thing is … when it comes to love and peace on this beautiful planet of ours, the far majority of people want peace and love – A truth. They want to live a life of freedom and dignity. As I just said, simple truths. It is Power, Greed, Hatred, and Fear that essentially interferes with these goals.

Today a good day for love, global love.

With affection,

~ Penny

Follow, Follow, Follow … Is it the direction you’re headed in?

/ Penny L Howe / 41 Comments

By AcrylicArtist

Follow me, I know the way. I’ll give you a better day. At least that’s what they all do say.

“Follow me on Twitter, hashtag #the latest buzz.”
“Follow me on Facebook, well – just because.”
“Follow me on Google, your circle will expand.”
“Follow me on LinkedIn, I’ll help you understand.”
“Follow me on WordPress, see my written word.”
“Follow me on YouTube to view/hear the greater world.”
“Follow me on GoodReads, read my book review.”
“Follow me on (insert here – a social medium you view)!”

Follow me, follow me, everywhere you go.

Change, inform and criticize – just follow, so you’ll know.

But will you know who you are, in the mix of all the change?

By AcrylicArtist2

Will you still be you – or slightly rearranged?

When you follow anything, know just where it leads.

Follow up your “Follows” – is it a healthy feed?

Technology is wonderful, connections evermore.

Just make sure, you do know where …

… there is an exit door.

~

Have an excellent week ahead everyone!

~ Penny

 

Walkabout – Mentally Speaking!

/ Penny L Howe / 41 Comments

It’s been 7 days since I’ve posted or read a blog. Not very long in everyday terms, but in online social connection terms (Blogs, Tweets, Google+, Facebook, About.me, Linked in, etc.) it does seems as if it’s been much longer, doesn’t it?  Time passes differently while online and so while only 7 days, I’ve missed my connections with you all so very, very much.

Here, where I live, in Northwest America it snowed briefly and gently this morning. A quiet, crisp and clear beginning to start one’s day! A place you’d want your thoughts to dwell as much as possible with today’s hectic lifestyle. Change being the only constant in all of our lives.

In the past week I’ve been doing a mental “Walkabout” as Australians might refer to it. I’ve had much dwelling on my mind. Questing my “role” in things you could even say.

In ‘personal life’ adventures, nothing has been handed to me easily. I’ve worked my way through various stages of life while not necessarily emerging as a victor, none-the-less I also did not come away as a victim and instead am wiser in spite of cherished things that have been lost.

All my life I have tried to avoid direct confrontation and yet even through fears, stood as brave and strong as I could when it was needed. I’m ‘tempered’ as a metal might become by a clever blacksmith of yesteryear. I know my shortcomings and my strengths, but more to the point, this means – I know yours too.

We (all of us) live in a period of time where negative thinking about yesterdays, today and tomorrows must not be allowed to win over us. We are a strong people with strong wills – when we put our minds to  it! I know this about you. All of you. It is a truth. You are more capable than you can possibly know. In fact it’s only necessary for you to “know” and believe a thing for it to become a thing.

There is an astonishingly true “might and capability” that lies within each of you. Never forget that!

We, of humanity are on a glorious quest for life – but the quest is not an easy one. Yet, it’s the best game in town and I’m happy to be a part – in whatever role I play, and wherever it leads me to be.

Thursday is a Thanksgiving Holiday in America and as William Faulkner (an American writer and Nobel Prize laureate from Oxford, Mississippi) once said about the giving of thanks and gratitude:

“Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity;
it must be produced and discharged
and used up in order to exist at all.”
– William Faulkner

.

I agree with him. Love to you all. Stand tall. Be brave, live life, give thanks and always remember you’re never alone! I (for one) am here, thinking of you with “very fond affection and good wishes” for a wonderful day and better tomorrow.

penny l howe

– Penny