Do you sometimes read the comments on social media and are shocked by how nasty people can be? Have you been a victim of being judged by somebody based on perceptions and opinions that were not true?
The comments people will make on social media often shock me, especially when 99% of the comments are made based on opinions and perceptions. People seem to forget that their comments are directed towards people and their families who also have feelings. How will it make you feel when something has to happen to you or your family and those comments were directed at you?
I can share personal experiences where pre-conceived perceptions exist about certain industries or people. When I enrolled for my diploma in fitness 10 years post-articles, most of the accountants and actuaries in my circle thought I was weird. I was asked why a CA in a senior position at one of the biggest financial services groups would want to study fitness. I didn’t think it was weird − I was passionate about fitness and sport since Grade 1: why can I not combine all my passions and qualifications? The studies resulted in me running injury free and not being sick for the past eight years, as I have a much better understanding of how to take care of my personal health and well-being. Our wellness company was born following my fitness studies and today we can help many people incorporate a healthy and balanced lifestyle with their career or business goals.
When I entered Mrs Pretoria-Tshwane after a good friend encouraged me to enter and was crowned 1st Princess, I realised that perception and reality can be vastly removed. There certainly are a lot of perceptions about beauty pageants, but before I participated my opinions were based on perceptions formed by other people and the media. After I participated my opinions are based on reality as I have experienced it first-hand. I can now comment from a level of authority. The competition helped me to become comfortable outside of my comfort zone. I was exposed to different people and different scenarios. Although I will probably not enter a beauty pageant again, it formed part of my journey to becoming a more balanced individual.
In a world where darkness often overshadows the light, we should be more conscious about how we treat people. Stop judging people based on your or somebody else’s opinion. Stop forming opinions based on perceptions. If you don’t know the person or were not there, keep your opinion to yourself. Don’t be nasty, your nasty comments hurt somebody else. Start spreading light and positivity. Learn not to judge, you are not walking in that person’s shoes. Allow the sun to shine on everybody.
Opinions
We live in an era in which nastiness has become acceptable. We are confronted by people’s opinions, whether in our daily lives, at the workplace or in the media. Quite often these opinions are exactly that – opinions – based on perceptions and vastly removed from the truth. Judging people without knowing them and not being present in the situation. Social media certainly is one of the biggest culprits, giving everybody a voice to raise their opinions without being held responsible or having to justify their remarks. There certainly is nothing wrong with raising your opinion, but is your opinion based on perception or reality?
Author
Ronel Jooste CA(SA) Director at FinanciallyFiTLife and author, speaker and radio talk show host
