An Open Letter to the Leaders of Social Media Platforms and Influencers:
My parents taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say about someone… Then don’t say anything.
I share with my children and also with the thousands of people who attend my seminars and read my posts how important it is to avoid all the “negative” information that is being broadcast by the television networks, the radio stations, and the newspapers.
The reason… Because approximately 8o-85% is negative in content.
One of the simple lessons I have learned and gladly share with others is the following:
•I take a lemon, a bowl and a knife
•I ask the audience (or my kids), “What is this yellow object I am holding?”
•They all respond… “A lemon.”
•I tell them “That’s right.”
•I then cut the lemon in half and ask them, “What will come out of the lemon when I squeeze the two halves above the bowl???”
•They all respond… “Lemon juice.”
•I tell them they are correct once again
•Then I ask them the important question… “Why???”
•They all respond… “Because that is what is inside.”
The same is true for all of us. What we put inside of us…. is what will come out of us. Plain and simple….
•Good/positive in… #Goodpositive out.
•Bad/negative in… Bad/negative out.
Social Media has the opportunity to make a huge difference in this world. But unfortunately it has become just another media outlet for negative information and output.
I once challenged two major newspapers to be “different from and better than” all the other publications. I suggested that they make the FRONT PAGE of their papers #positive, #inspirational stories about “GOOD” people, people helping other people;, people overcoming obstacles and adversities.
Needless to say, I never received a response from either of them.
My children asked me what I was going to do about it when the papers did not respond. So I started writing a positive, inspirational blog entitled: “TGIT… Thank God It’s Today”. The blog reached thousands of people all over the world. TGIT became my first book.
Now, many years later I no longer send out my blog. Instead, I post positive brief articles on social media and on Thrive Global.
I did all of this because I believe that Gandhi was right when he told us that “We should be the #change we want to see in the world.”
So… Now I am asking all of you on Social Media; are you promoting “Good/Positive” or are you promoting “Bad/Negative”?
You have the amazing #opportunity and ability to help shape a more positive world. One filled with #peace, #love, #kindness and #gratitude .
We are all blessed to have the ability to make the world better, and we have a #responsibility to do it.
I challenge you… respectfully… “To be the change…”.
With gratitude,
Barry