Tolerate or Retaliate?

Tamarah Ellen and her Shih Tzu, Turk | Self-Portrait

It’s a different world today. The offended run rampant, and emotions are high, ignoring what’s ethical, lawful, and void of respect. Respect is a big one and goes along with ethics and the law. How did we come to this? It’s the world of technology, and some people think it’s their playground. I remember when we respected the laws, respected businesses, and feared anything criminal or unjust, at least most of us did.  

Technology, while fascinating, has been a game changer that lives by no rules, and, for some, permits them to be disrespectful, predatory, dishonest and just plain crude. Is this right?  Do we continue to allow this to happen, and what can one do to protect themselves? Social media is the internet’s greatest weapon. It is being used to incite hate, criminal acts, verbal abuse, and even businesses are touting their political beliefs to ward off those who do not think like them.That is a dangerous and slippery slope, for at the end of the day, most of your customers don’t necessarily think like you and probably are watching you on the internet.  They are, at this very moment, looking for a replacement for your services or products. Don't let this happen to you! Kick righteousness to the curb.

Tamarah's Closet's Supermodel, Prelsey Bush 

Photographer: Tamarah Ellen

As a host of my live internet show, “Tamarah’s Closet,” I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with several great artists in all genres, including doctors, lawyers, etc. During this time, I have learned from other artists, of their copyrights being violated, people copying their work, stealing their work, and the lists goes on. Some of these things happened before the internet, but with the internet and social media, we have a stampede of thieves. It's time to put our foot down.

Every Party Has a Pooper

Most of us joined Facebook for the social aspect, but those of us who are entrepreneurs saw the profitable advantage for our businesses. It seemed a great way to get our products or services to more people. Like most things, the party poopers show up and spoil the fun with their dishonesty and begin to prey on people, businesses, or just use it as their platform to spew their hate or political views, and reveal their narcissism.

Tamarah's Senior Shih Tzu, Turk  |  Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen

(Never the Party Pooper)

I remember how much fun it seemed when I first joined in 2009, adding friends to my list. Over time, I had so many so-called “friends,” and most of whom I’ve never met. I used to see people’s post in my news feed, but now I see the same handful of people, and mostly ads from stores in China. Thanks to the unwanted and dictating algorithms.

Used to, when things went wrong in a business, a business owner could retaliate through legal services, and some still can, but it seems in this overly sensitive world, we are being forced to tolerate, versus retaliate, and when this happens, no one gains respect, honesty is for nerds, and those who love God are labeled all kinds of disrespectful things. Today it is fashionable to be a hater, to tout their virtue, of which most do not have, and cast stones on what used to be considered all things good and pure. This won't happen in my circle. I won't allow the negative people to come in to my space. These people are toxic and deadly to our health, and our businesses.

We Need a Little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Businesses are shunned if they are not touting wokeness, and the police are allowing some areas to be burned down and destroyed by rioters. The police are told, “Stand down.” Really? Is this what we truly want? I don't think so. You know how children act up, scream and pitch a fit until they get their way? I am not a jar and I won't be labeled. I am not woke because that is just another label. I refuse to be labeled anything other that a woman with integrity who would like the world to grow up and focus on coming together. I have never ever been racists, my family wasn't racist, my friends are not racists, and I love all people of all cultures and colors. I am not homophobic, and I don't hate transgenders. I have had friends from all walks of life. I am also not woke. So before you hate me or anyone else that says they are not woke, you better be 100 percent certain you know the truth of a person because you have spent time with them, spent many hours with them and getting to know them before you point any fingers. Labels are for shallow haters with no integrity.

Supermodel:  Presley Bush  |  Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen

"You treat people with respect, they tend to return the favor to the company." -Larry Page | Computer Scientist & Internet Entrepreneur

This division is what is going on.This labeling divides, and it is immature to the max. I will add that the labeling works on both sides as well. I supposed we could give in to the labeling screamers, and pacify them, but that never solved anything either. They will do it again and again. Ignoring them, however is the best medicine. They scream for attention. Ignoring them will eventually tire and wear them down. I just pretend they don't exist in my world. My parents didn't give myself, nor my siblings everything we wanted. We learned patience and respect.

"It is always easier to label, than to understand."  -Adam Jones |  Musician

I remember my parents teaching me about respect. Respect your elders, respect your parents, respect your neighbor, respect the police, respect animals, and respect your teachers. Today, with the internet, it seems people have lost respect, and when I see this, many don’t even respect themselves. They would walk right into a slaughterhouse as long as they can prove their theories to be right.  Okay, so be it.

Regarding politics, I have my opinions and values that I hold near and dear to my heart. I don’t believe most politicians care about America, because if they did, we wouldn’t be in this mess. There are very few I trust. What I do know is that the internet, while good in many ways, has caused great problems in the world, and turned the simplicity of love and life into something more cynical and destructive. It is like this giant cult that is sucking the souls out of people, and these people are wearing blinders, no matter what side of politics they are on.

"There are two kind of people in this world. The kind who divide the world into two kinds of people and those who don't.  Ann Brashares | American Children's Writer

The only answer for me is to retaliate against the thieves and the haters, and there are two ways you can do this. You do it legally, or you find a way to rally a group of people in your industry to stop the thieves. I can assure you the latter isn’t easy; most people today shy away from taking action. They’ve become lazy and don’t want to stir the pot, even though the pot is burning them and their businesses alive.  You’ve got to be willing to take a stand, even if you stand alone for some time, to protect your rights as a human and as a small business owner.

Now, should you choose to tolerate, you have sold your soul to the devil in my opinion. Tolerating the public and allowing them to destroy your good name, or your business, by stealing your work, telling you how to run things, how to vote, or how to live, giving in to their political views, is what will put you out of business.  Stand strong, get legal advice, rally together with like minded people and refuse to give in to the dictators of this world. You will be much happier, healthier and wiser. Wisdom in great lack these days.

Integrity is the most important thing when you lie your head on your pillow at night. Don’t let small-minded people take that away from you. Remember the phrase, “It’s just Facebook,” and move on and upward.  Facebook is a playground for most, good and evil.  Get out more in the real world, and you will attract better people.

Supermodel:  Presley Bush  |  Photographer:  Tamarah Ellen

If you want more spiritual people in your life, stay clear of the spiritual vampires.  They can’t get you in the real world like on social media. Clean up your friends list on social media and keep a select few with similar values if necessary. If you want more lighthearted people in your life, get out in the real world so you can meet them. 

Retaliate, don’t tolerate.  Retaliation doesn’t mean going to war. It means refusing to buy into the crowd. The crowd is usually very weak. It’s the stand-alone people that have heart and soul. The crowd will lead you to the slaughterhouse if you let them.  Be the leader that people are looking for and lead them to freedom, dreams and harmony.

I am a woman who also wants to see my dreams continue to come to fruition. I started my mission to inspire others to do the same, and Tamarah's Closet desires to lift others and celebrate them.  I am not perfect, so do not put me on a pedestal that even you can not stand on. I am perfectly imperfect, I love my mission, and I love America and I love myself. I love people and I love animals, yet I know animals love unconditionally. It took me years to truly love myself, so I will not let anyone take that from me. No matter how dark things can look, I will not stop. I won't sell my soul to the devil and I will not follow. You should do the same.

Tamarah Ellen  |  Self-Portrait

To your own heart and soul, and to those of you who are working on your dreams,  creating unity, and spreading love, I wish you much success. 

May the narcissists of the world find a mirror big enough for them. May it cast back the ugly image that will encourage them to change. 😉  😉 😉

Last, how do you want to be remembered when you are gone? This is important to people with a conscience. I want to be remembered for being a moral and great person with integrity who worked to create unity, inspire people to go after their dreams, and to leave the world a much better place. I want to be remembered for how hard I worked on myself and how I lifted people in good times and bad.  How do you want to be remembered?  Think about it. It is a choice!

To your own success, rock it!

Tamarah Ellen