Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Rude Comments

I guess it was only a matter of time. If you have a blog long enough, you are bound to start getting very rude and attacking comments posted to it. Tonight I began getting them. I moderate all comments that get posted. These, due to their attacking nature, have been rejected. The person who posted them said nothing in the comments that had any value. Childish name calling and disrespect won't be tolerated in the comments posted.

"Anonymous" (the person never gave a name) obviously has issues with our lifestyle. All I can say is that this person is welcome to not agree with how we live our lives. Each family must decide for themselves what is best for their own family. Just because we choose to life this way does not mean we feel it is right for everyone. It happens to be what we enjoy though.

If someone has a problem with our way of life or that I refer to my husband as Beloved, that is their right to have their own opinion. I also have the right to live my life as I choose. If that includes referring to my husband as Beloved, that is my right. Just for reference, Webster's dictionary gives the meaning of "beloved" to mean "dearly loved, dear to the heart." That is what my husband is to me. He is dear to my heart. Yes, I capitalize it, just as others would capitalize any other endearment that they used to refer to their loved one. Nothing "disturbing" about that.

Some of the changes that we have made in going from using all the modern conveniences to doing things more like the "old way" have been ones made together. Other changes, such as my choice to do laundry by hand have been my own. I enjoy doing the laundry by hand. It is not the drudgery that many people think it is. Currently, we do still have an electric washer & dryer that I can use anytime I decide to. I just prefer to not use them. I find it relaxing to wash by hand. There are times when I do use the machines, but not as often as I used to. I do know however that if I told Beloved that I wanted to give up doing laundry by hand he would be very supportive of it.

There are always going to be decisions that we make that will cause people to fuss. Please get a grip! We are not asking everyone to make the choices that we have made. Good grief. Yes, we are enjoying that we don't have much of the modern technology in our home. There are some things, such as the computer, however that will stay as long as we have a purpose for it. Right now, the computer & internet provide us with a way to stay in touch with family & friends, research, and to earn a bit of extra money from time to time. If the computer ever lost it's purpose we would get rid of it too. I find it funny that there are people who actually think we are odd for still having a computer & internet when we have given up so many other things.

The point is, this blog is a tool to share the journey we are on to simplify our lives. There are decisions that we will make that others would never choose for themselves or their families. That is fine. What is not fine however is for people to take it upon themselves to make rude remarks and childish name calling in comments to my blog. I do not judge you or your lifestyle. You are free to live as you see best. I ask that you offer me the same respect and not judge me or my family.

I will be saying a prayer for the one who posted the nasty comments tonight. This person needs prayer.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Paula,
I am so sorry that people have to be so rude, but that is what the world is like. If they don't agree with someone they feel they have the right to throw stones. I love your blog and you have become a true "long distance" friend. I love your ideas and the things you do. I have said it before, you are a true inspiration. We need more people like you to shine the light of truth in this dark world. Thank you so much for sharing your life. It has come to mean a lot to me.

Love,
Lanita

Elizabeth-Plain and Simple said...

Very well said. You have every right to live as you wish and I enjoy reading about your lifestyle and the changes you have made. My husband and I are also making changes, as many others are also. Thank you for sharing your journey, and I respect all that you and your husband are doing to live a simple life.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Michelle Therese said...

It's amazing what kinds of things people will nit-pick and criticize! Doing laundry by hand and using a capital "B" for "Beloved"... give me a break! They deffinately need prayers but they also need to find a real cause ~ something in this hurting world that needs real attention!

Anonymous said...

I don't have a blog so I will post anonymous. My name is Amber and I love this blog. You do such a good job. The person who sent that post should remember that its the internet and they don't have to read your site. Please, don't let them get you down. I look forward to when I can get on your site to see what I can learn, for a more sustainable life. Thank You for all you do!!

Have a Blessed Day Amber

Ann J said...

I've only just found you Blog and would like to say that what you are doing in simplifying your lifestyle should be encouraged not ridiculed and then maybe we would all benefit from a more caring, less materialistic world! Good for you and I'll definately be following your journey from now on !! Luv Ann J

Unknown said...

You are right, if you blog long enough and with a purpose and plan, folks will start getting itchy feet and feel the need to share with you.
I'm sorry you have started that path here. I wish I could say things will quiet back down, but typically, they take a bit of time.

I have never once seen you share anything remotely pushy or arrogant in your posts. This is simply your path in life, this is how you are living your life and what you have been convicted of. You are not telling anyone this is the way for all to go.

I love your blog and the wisdom you share as you walk each step toward this new lifestyle for your family. I appreciate your taking time to share as you do. You inspire me and motivate me to keep moving in the direction I truly feel convicted of.

Keep living outside the box and do share as you have time! Nay-sayers will eventually move off and find something else that bugs them in someone else's life.

Deanna

Granny Simplicity said...

I want to thank everyone for the supportive comments. The situation left me gobsmacked. I guess I didn't think about the possibility that someone would be as nasty as this person was in their 2 comments.

I have every intention of keeping up the ideas and updates on our homestead. In today's economy, the ideas may be something for others to consider. That was one of the primary reasons for this blog. I wanted to share our homesteading journey with others. So many think it cannot be done. We are so accustomed to modern technology and conveniences that we have forgotten how to live simply. We have forgotten the difference between a need and a want. So, for as long as I am able to do so, and as long as this blog is a help to others, I will be keeping up with the posts.

May the Lord's blessings be with thee,
Paula

Ree said...

What a sad thing it is when someone gets attacked physically or verbally. It saddens me when we fall so far from God. I would just like to say that I love your blog. I love to read about the life you are making. It inspires me to remember what really matters.

Love Erica Juenger

Alice said...

I think calling your husband Beloved is sweet. I call mine my Mister (and I capitalize it- just like I would his name).

I really admire the way you are choosing to live, some of it I probably wouldn't want to do, but that's okay. Just because some people choose to do things differently doesn't mean that one way is necessarily better or worse than the other.

Some people just get a thrill out of being mean. I think that's a sad way to live.

Anonymous said...

Paula,
I agree wtih all the previous comments also. I always enjoy your posts and each day check to see if you have added another. I am enjoying your journey so much and wish we could lose some of the modern ways that we are currently using/engaged in. I feel very very sorry for the person that left negative comments. Perhaps it says a lot about how afraid they may be about changes in their life rather than anything about yours. May God grant you all that you need and wish for. Thank you for such inspiring posts and useful information. I look forward to reading more. Love Jan (England). Sorry haven't got a blog with this site yet.

Anonymous said...

Paula,

I follow your blog regularly, although I'm not sure I've ever commented. I remember you from New Okie Pioneers and am thrilled you've come so far in your journey. I actually pity button-pushers, those who think for some reason that they must attack and ridicule. Don't let them intrude on the peace and joy you've found in living a simple life focused on our Lord and your family. They are a sad bunch and it's them I feel sorry for.

Keep up the good work.

Blessings from a fellow Okie,
Judy
Ju

On A Hill Homestead said...

It's difficult to understand why people feel as though they need to comment nasty negative opinions. I don't go around to peoples blogs and post my opinions. I just won't read their blog again. We live an agrarian, off-grid, biblical lifestyle, but for some reason that offends some. Oh well I say to them. Then don't read my blog!
I'm sorry you had to deal with rude comments.
Peace, Kris

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that people have to be so rude in their comments. It is almost as if people have to look for things to be unhappy about. Let me tell you, I was so happy when I found your blog sometime ago. We are a family who has decided to live a simpler lifestyle as well. This tends to bring about many negative comments from family members and "friends". But, as time moves on, they are beginning to see that our life isn't as bad as they thought it would be. Matter of fact, many of the people who were putting us down, are now coming to us for advice on how to make similar changes. I must say, I so love that you too are simple in your lifestyle and post several items/designs/signs about supporting the troops. We are a military family. My husband just returned from Iraq for the second time a few months ago. It is one thing to be different in the eyes of my family. But, I find it even harder to be different in the eyes of my husbands "men". I almost try to hide what we do here on the farm. But, my husband on the other hand goes to work every day and boasts as to what I...yes, what I am doing on the farm. He is so proud as he finds that his men are having difficulty even getting their wives to cook a meal let alone clean the house. Or...dare I say it...clean the chicken coop. HAHA! As long as he is happy, and our life suits us, what else matters? Keep up what you are doing. You have given me sony great ideas.

Kimberly

Blessed Momma said...

I named my daughter Amanda because it means Beloved. I frequently visit your blog and find it just wonderful, and kind and thought provoking. (And I'm constantly amazed at what some people can find to criticize, sigh.)

Anonymous said...

Don't feel alone. I am not nearly as deep into the simple life as you are(yet..) and I may never do my laundry by hand as laundry is a chore I don't care for at all. But many people make comments about the simple things I do. I am so sorry that people can't keep their rude thoughts to themselves. I am new to your blog, but am enjoying it very much.

Darlene said...

Awww, I'm so sorry that you had to deal with someone being nasty.

I too have had to deal with people being nasty about my lifestyle, so I know it can get a person a bit down. I'm so glad that you are secure in who you are and I agree that the person whom said the nasty things to you needs to be in your prayers - for your sake as well as for their sake. sigh Don't you wish we could all just get along in this world?
I enjoy your blog. Thanks for taking time to share what you do.
Darlene

Anonymous said...

Oh precious dear friend...I am feel sorry for people who feel they need to be rude. I think it is a cover up of their own lives, and somehow they want to make someone else feel as bad as they do. Saying a prayer is the absolute thing to do for these poor individuals...Keep on with your testimony..

I took am living in a modern world but live an oldfashioned life by choice! Dresses only...no tv...homeschool...

Anyway...blessings, and Keep on being the light in our dark world. Kelly

Anonymous said...

That's truly a shame that people have to TRY to burst someone's happy bubble like that. Granted, freedom of speech is their legal right, but that doesn't mean they should WANT to say these things! A girl I knew did something like that to me. She had to try and disprove God's existence by telling me all the 'facts' that were wrong in the Bible and whatnot. Rather than debate the subject, I simple asked her "why do you want to ruin this for me?" (Not that she could have.) "Everything that He represents is beautiful and happy, so would you rather that I be miserable?" She had absolutely nothing to say after that. I think some people just like to give their two cents worth; but that doesn't mean it's worth too much sense.
Your blogs have brightened up many a cloudy day for my mother and I. We both thank you very much!!

Love,
Maggie and Sue

Kristy C said...

I am so sorry someone had to be that rude.....I had read that comment after you posted it and I just went back and re-read it . I just can't believe someone would be that rude. They don't have to read your blog if they don't want to! ARGH!
Although my life is not as simple as yours I certainly admire what you do-its amazing!

limpingalong said...

I am bewildered as to why someone should feel the need to criticize your way-of-life choice. What difference does it make to them?
I refer to my husband as Sweetie in my blog. I think Beloved is a great name!
Keep blogging!