Impersonal Instruments

When we see people in person, we tend to treat them better.

However, when someone's lifestyle is unrelatable, most people cannot empathize with them.

This is why cultural differences, gender and generation gaps exist.  This is why we are put here on this earth, to learn empathy.

The internet further dehumanizes people.  It becomes just words, and we don't have the same self-restraint.

These impersonal instruments, our phones, tablets, computers keep finding more and better ways for us to interact impersonally.  We can hide our voices, faces, even our real names behind a screen.

How you treat people when you hide behind your shield of  anonymity, that's who you really are.  Remember that a real person is reading your words.  Words can cut deep.  Hateful and harsh words desensitize others and cause more ugliness.

Sometimes there's nothing better than a warm hug or having someone hold your hand when you're tired or feeling down.  If all you have is a screen, you can't see or hear what's really going on with someone.

Maybe it's hard to muster compassion on these primitive, impersonal instruments.  If that's the case, then get out in the real world, show your face and lend a helping hand rather than a hurtful word.  Let me be the first to Thank You!