That being said, some nights (like tonight), my body (and this little dancer in my belly) don't want to go back to sleep. So what should've been just a quick trip to the bathroom and back to bed at 12:35 wound up with me sitting here wide awake at 2:45.
How can I complain when all I'm thinking about is in a few months, this little dancer will no longer be in my belly... But right here with me? Nights will get harder, but I do look forward to spending LOTS of mama/daughter time together. I know that one day I will wish for nothing more than a night in which I can go back to sleep whenever my body says it's time, and not when it works around a baby's schedule. If you feel the need to point that out to me, then go ahead. Just please know that in this moment in time, I will promptly ignore those statements. Why would anyone want to stifle a mom-to-be's excitement about meeting and falling in love with her child?
Which brings me to something that I have gone over and over in my head and wanted to post about but didn't know how without being hateful or petty or rude or bitter.
Judgement.
Recently, there isn't a day that passes in which I don't hear or see someone being judgmental. And I am aware that in and of itself, this post is me being judgmental, so the irony/hypocrisy is not lost on me. Which is another reason why I haven't said anything.
Here's the thing... I have opinions about many things, like everyone does. Whether it be political, religious, parenting, hobbies, working, relationships, etc... I feel a certain way and have thoughts about all of those topics and much more. I don't always keep my thoughts to myself (though I have been much more lately for the very same reason this post is being written). Here's the thing... I have my thoughts and they may not be the same as yours. I don't pretend to think that my thoughts are better than yours. I don't pretend to like all of your thoughts.
But there is such a thing as consideration and respect for those around you.
I don't always agree or like what you have to say, and if I really don't like it... Then that's my choice to say.. Unfriend/hide you from FB or mention something privately to you (which I rarely do because it's not important enough to me to cause an argument over).
It blows my mind when people get bent out of shape about other people posted opinions/thoughts/ideas that they don't particularly agree with.
Some people post about:
- Sports
- Cute animal videos
- Animal pictures
- Baby pictures
- Disease awareness
- School
- Work
- Boredom
- Daily Thanksgiving posts
- Elf on the Shelf
- Military appreciation
- Recipes
- Political opinions
- Religious beliefs
I am not perfect, and I imagine I hurt the feelings of those I care about more than I even realize. But I cannot imagine going out of my way and making a point of putting another person's beliefs/thoughts/feelings down. Granted, this post is inherently hypcritical because I'm posting about not people passing judgment on other people's opinions... Which means I'm passing judgment on them for doing so. Hear me out...
I respect your right to have those opinions. If you don't like that I enjoy making posts during the month of November about the things I am thankful for, or if you get annoyed when I post yet another picture or status about my pregnancy, or if it takes up space on your timeline when I share the advertisements my husband posts for his business... Then please let me know and I will gladly hide my future posts from you, no hard feelings. In fact, there are several people I have already hidden, because I know somehow my posts have somehow offended or annoyed them. It only concerns me when people feel they have to make statements passive aggressively about not liking this or that (knowing full well their friends/family members have differing opinions) and disregard how this may affect whoever reads that particular post.
It's one thing to have an opinion and be passionate about that opinion, it's quite another to disregard all other opinions and the emotions of those with those opinions.
There are many things that I have absolutely no interest or relatively little interest in reading about... Sports, politics, recipe posts, advertisements, Elf on the Shelf, etc. That being said... I very much have interest in the friends and family who care about those topics. So if I don't want or care to see a particular post... It's amazing how easy it is to keep scrolling.
And you know who that hurts?? No one.
Granted, not everyone handles or responds to things in the same way and I've only ever been in my skin, so I can't say what will work for someone else. Maybe it's a need on your heart to make your opinions known, regardless of how anyone will respond. And that is your prerogative. When I read those posts, it's then my prerogative to hide them, if I find them too offensive.
All I'm saying is, it bothers me when people aren't kind towards one another. It makes me sad for them and sad for those who are affected by what they say.
Now I feel the need to apologize if I've offended anyone, particularly if you felt this post was aimed towards you. We are all guilty of this, at some point or another... So chances are some things I have said may have been offensive. I apologize if that's made you uncomfortable or angered or hurt in any way. This was most definitely not geared towards just a handful of people, but really people, in general (myself, included). As I said, we are all guilty of passing judgment on others at some point.
I just wish we shared a little more mercy, as well.
