Freedom of Speech, Sorta

As an American I was born with a few unalienable rights. Ten to be exact. One of which, also the first amendment is the freedom of speech. As many of you know, I exercise this right daily.

A majority of what I write doesn’t filter through a brain to hand to pen to paper. I usually speak as I think, and I write as I think. As odd as this will seem … I seek genuine transparency from others therefore demand it from myself.

What I’m not free from is the repercussions of what I say, or post on social media. And sometimes it’s what I’m NOT saying that has deeper implications.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH, SORTA

Like I said, I can post whatever I want … as long as it’s positive, uplifting or motivating. Otherwise, I’ll be branded an Eeyore / a #DebbieDowner / a complainer. I recently forgot about this dynamic. I was (still am, TBH) upset about the handling of #COVID19 response. However, my posts were viewed as disparaging to the company, and negatively perceived as a leader within the company.

So I “course corrected” on my own: deleted friends that I thought were not necessary, increased my security and privacy settings, and most importantly, drank the #CorporateKoolAid so I could stop posting ANY negative thoughts or ideas.

Like a never-ending #TrumanShow with every episode positive and happy. It’s a miracle: I live in an utopian social media sphere!

What I’m Not Saying

I’ve concluded the reason why my mentors discourage my lamenting online based on the adage, “you should vent up, not down”. I understand that negativity will erode my motivational an encouraging narrative.

Also it reminds us, ‘of the troubles we already know’ [Elton John]

My rebuttal is by virtue of not complaining, not having a bad day means every day is grand! My online persona starts to creep toward a ‘holier than thou’ perception.

Isn’t that the bottom-line: audience perception?

It’s NOT the reality or the facts or even my written words that I post. It’s how it’s perceived.

I’ll continue to exercise my right to be free to speak my mind, my thoughts, my opinions, my perception of events. I must be more cognizant of the possible repercussions of how my message could be perceived.

If you’ll please excuse me, I’m gonna refill my Kool-Aid after I post this.

‘los; out