Choose Love Over Hate, Happiness Over Anger

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

There is a big, beautiful world out there, and so many of you are missing it. Perhaps you’ve allowed the toxicity of the news and social media to overwhelm you, stifling any creativity you may have left, or your heart has hardened, and hate has settled in.That is a choice you’ve made.  It is a bad choice, so make the healthier choice and walk away.  

I recently read that the average person wastes over 2 ½ hours on social media. Imagine what you could have done during that time. Imagine the creativity you could have harnessed or the happiness you could have created with that time. You could have begun an exercise program that would make you healthier, and exercise is also good for your mental health. Social media is not good for your physical or mental health.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

Respect Yourself

Strangely, people today are having a difficult time being respectful and nice. Do your best to respect others, but above all, respect yourself. Guard who you allow into your world. On social media, many have become hate-filled warriors spewing their anger at each other, saying things they don’t dare say to one’s face. Watching grass grow would be more inspirational. Their computer is their shield. They lack courage in the real world, so they guard themselves with the internet. The internet becomes their shield and their weapon. Sad, but true.

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."  John F. Kennedy

I find that I am much happier the less time I spend on social media. It is no longer a place of inspiration for me, but the real world is my great inspiration. I have recently witnessed a woman telling a man that she hoped he would die because of whom he voted for.  I actually met this woman at an event years ago, but choose now, not to have this person in my feed, so I blocked her. I rarely do this, but she had told a man who commented on her post that she hoped he died. This is true hate, and it was over politics. I made the decision this year to block anyone who is being verbally violent or abusive, as well as spewing hate It’s become toxic and vile. This has become a serious problem, not to mention a danger to anyone who wants to achieve their dream or keep their family fulfilled with joy and hope. I prefer to protect my heart and focus on my dream.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

Build Your Dream

You will never achieve your dreams, staying glued to toxic people, including the news media.  I won’t and don’t allow them in my life. Find your passion and build your dream.  Social media is not the wonderful place it was years ago. Used to, one could get on and only see their selected friends' posts or inspirational pages they’ve liked pop up in the news feed. Today, Mark Zuckerberg seems to pick what he wants us to see instead. It is toxic for those working to improve or build a dream. I have even found it a bit of a challenge to find great people to interview on my show, for as soon as I see the ugliness, I am turned away from wanting to celebrate them. This is a sad thing for me, for it is my passion.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

It is crucial to your mental and physical health to avoid social media's toxicity. I am dwindling my friends list so that I can bring in new people who inspire me. I suggest this to anyone who has a dream. Unfortunately, not everyone will be for you when you begin a journey to become better.  There will be those waiting for you to fail, quit, and give up. They want you to give in to hate and become a part of it. Misery loves company. So make sure, by all means, that you WIN!

Focus on what is important. The news and Hollywood are not your problem, and politicians are not your problem. Allowing them to steal your joy, definitely is your problem. Love the life you came here to live, and while everyone around you is fighting, use the time to work towards your dreams. This is when miracles happen.

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

 Happiness is a choice, and while I am aware of social media's negative energy, I must step away when it begins to bring me down. I spend very little time there. I succeed each moment I take steps toward what I want rather than paying attention to the noise. I spend time with David and our pets and enjoy laughter with his family at birthday gatherings. This is what makes me feel whole again. 

I feel inspired and hopeful once again when I am in nature or with horses in a pasture. I have always felt closest to God in nature and in the great outdoors.  Technology may be great, but it doesn’t make me feel close to God at all.  Without God, I would feel empty and dark.

      Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

Make this New Year golden with love, spirituality, hope, great health, and prosperity. Steer clear of toxic people and bring in new and spiritual ones who fulfill your heart. Take care of your heart and your spirituality, and your dreams will fall into place.

Be happy! The haters don't want you to be, so make sure you are!

To your happiness, love and joy, rock it!

Tamarah Ellen

"Imminent Reflections" whom I call "Lock"  |  Photographer: Tamarah Ellen