The Onlookers

What has the world become? Have we numbed ourselves to all the pain?

The suffering we constantly see, is it too much? With social media, what do we gain?

I get it. Sometimes it distracts, it’s a way to pass time, to unwind.

But often I think the overwhelm of it all leaves the opportunity for connection behind.

Why was it created? I thought interaction was its intentional purpose. 

But often people find the comparison, the news, only seeing the highlights of people's lives hurts us.

Is mental health more problematic because of this easy, accessible and paralysing tool?

Is the desensitisation of all adversity creating us to appear cruel?

Because all I see is onlookers that stare at these small parts of my life. 

That I choose to share in hopes of connection and kindness to be found when I share strife

The friends list is vast, the followers all appear to be many.

But those that choose to interact are minimal, if any.

It’s hard because I have relationships that are challenged by distance. 

But social media allow me to feel apart from their world. This tool is an assistance

So how do we choose to positively engage this tool and not be paralysed by what we see?

For I know I’ve been an onlooker too, and when I see someone share hardship, I too have remained silent. I have to agree.

How do we use it to extend kindness, share, encourage, for the purpose I believe it was initially created for?

How do we go back to the basics of human interactions the way they were before?

Before, life was too busy, chaotic, before time ruled the world. 

Before we let the thief of comparison in our minds choose to swirl

It only takes a moment, so find kindness, share a thought or two. 

For answers or support to someone’s problem, or encouragement to their hardship could be you.