TSY recently shared an awesome adventure.
When it hit the Facebook bunch it received a lot of attention, some of which was very favorable, and some that came in the form of an ugly attack.
I’ve heard a phrase come up many times in and around the surfing community. “Only a surfer knows the feeling.” This phrase is a bit abstract. It is a bit inviting and sends several messages.
After reading Leigh’s bear hunting article, I see the phrase in a new way. For most of surfing’s life, it was frowned upon. Surfing was thought to be a waste of time and simply not productive. Only a surfer knows, was sent to the folks judging and berating. It was a message that said, “Hey, you ever surfed?” It asked “Could you, even if you tried?” It said, “If you made the commitment that I made to do this thing, your perspective would not be what it is.”
When I spent more time with it, it echoes other sentiments found in the Indian’s Prayer. Do not judge your neighbor until you have walked a mile in their moccasins. It is says judge not, lest ye be judged.
These simple ways of respecting one another have a common thread that seems to be lost in our cyber space. I’m certain the cyber bullying would diminish if it were not cyber. In a one-on-one session, cowardice would silence this hate. With no accountability, some folks simply can’t behave or don’t understand how to control themselves.
We don’t all agree on everything and that’s good. The world is a lovely melting pot of ideas and pursuits. That’s beautiful, until ugly hate is allowed to creep in. This is the stuff that perpetuates ill will, and we can control it.
If you can’t say anything nice, zip it.
It’s very simple.
If you are not able to apply some empathy, learn.
Only a surfer knows the feeling is not exclusive to surfing.
Only a Yogi…
Only a Vegan….
Only a Woman…
Only a Hunter…
Only a whatever…don’t be ugly to one another.
One more interesting point, and please fact check this, if you look at the hate-filled childish comments, they seem to come from a crowd that touts inclusion when it’s trendy.
Interesting to see who says what.
Enjoy what you do, and let’s all just be little sweeties.
If you can’t find sweet, then just zip it up.
Sounds like you learned something from your mother. Are Mother’s today teaching “love your neighbor “?
My Mom did. From earliest times I can remember her reminder “if you don’t have something good to say about someone, then don’t say anything”. Good rule.
Thanks for teaching me that, too, Mom. And well said, Edgar! I agree that comments like this would never be spoken face-to-face. Cowards love to be nasty when no one can confront them.