A Twitter thread about perspectives (sorry, I don’t know a good way not to have it show the previous tweet in the thread each time):
A short thread about perspectives and charity.
Recently, @seanonolennon showed me some kindness in replying to my tweet. It made me feel a connection, like he suddenly became a friend. Then it hit me how, for decades, I made fun of his mom’s singing. I would never have… /1
— Alan Fahrner (@JegErAlan) February 12, 2022
…done that to a friend’s mom. Never. I felt horrible. If you ever read this Sean or Yoko, I am sorry.
As I thought about it, it hit me how much impact one’s connection, or lack of connection, to another individual affects our judgement of (and behavior toward) them. My… /2
— Alan Fahrner (@JegErAlan) February 12, 2022
…treatement of Yoko Ono was the farthest from charitable, as has been my treatment of too many others. It is our (and mine specifically) failing to feel better about ourselves by tearing someone else down.@larrypareigis, this all came to mind during our interactions about… /3
— Alan Fahrner (@JegErAlan) February 12, 2022
…the Dixie Chicks. When they dissed Bush overseas, I got rid of the two CDs I had of theirs. I consider you a friend, and once I saw you had a connection to them, I felt ashamed at how my judgment was so harsh. Not exactly the Yoko Ono situation, but similar.
Punch line? /4
— Alan Fahrner (@JegErAlan) February 12, 2022
I suppose the punchline could b I’ve been such a jerk, & that’s true.
Instead, however, I would posit that maybe be4 we judge…be4 we speak…be4 we act…we should attempt 2 consider the recipient our friend or family member. Would we act differently?
If so, act differently. 5/5
— Alan Fahrner (@JegErAlan) February 12, 2022
Not my best prose, but I think it makes the point.
If my lack of charity has harmed you, I apologize. In the end, we are all brothers and sisters. My God bless you and, if you aren’t part of His fold, may you find Him.