If I had to describe life right now with one word it would be “overwhelming.” Casting aside several layers of personal and professional angst that are weighing me down, it’s not too difficult to get overloaded with information, news, opinions and everything else that comes with living a life online.
Step one has been to whittle away my online presence. Facebook went out the door about 6
years ago; Twitter followed about 6 months ago (although, that admittedly hung on for way longer than it should have); Instagram and Snapchat are next on the chopping block.
Each voluntary culling of my online personality has brought with it a temporary panic of FOMO, followed by a lingering curiosity of what may be getting posted, to the point where I forget that this random site on the interweb held so much of attention, unnecessarily so.
But even if I slowly shed my social media baggage, the internet has a way of continuing to bombard you with content, even without an InstaTwittergramBook profile.
I have and will likely always be a politically junky. So, my current interest in the civic discourse of our great country has certainly piqued my interest. Without twitter to spoon-feed me the headline of the moment, I still find myself checking my cadre of news sources on repeat throughout the day, waiting for the next big headline to come through. This is probably more of a personal problem than one that others can relate to. But I feel like living a life online has created a sense that the next headline is right around the corner and you better not miss it.
Similarly to my good friend Mr. Mosley, I enjoy me some well-spent time in the outdoors. But domiciling in a big city like Denver, even with the Rockies at my doorstep, rarely lends itself to time disconnecting fully and completely. However, I was able to spend my Labor Day weekend with only myself, what I could pack on my back and a bow and arrow, chasing backcountry elk with a hunting buddy.
While three days doesn’t seem like a lot, the opportunity to be completely off the grid was a welcomed break from everything life and the world at large was throwing at me. I went to bed at night not worried about checking news headlines; I spent my days listening for distant bugles rather than political dog whistles. I forgot that most of the things I checked and rechecked every day, even existed. By the time I got home, I was certainly interested in catching up on some of what I missed.
But I also regretted not having done this in a larger capacity. I get why people decide to sell all their belongings and go off the grid somewhere far from civilization. Being blissfully ignorant about the last season of Game of Thrones, or what your uncle’s opinions on Elizabeth Warren in meme form are, certainly has its appeal.
Ultimately, though, we have to face the reality that this is our lives and we have jobs to work and families to raise and problems to solve just like everyone else. The modern world isn’t so bad, but I’ve found that taking time to remove yourself from it – even if just for fleeting moments – is not only helpful, but necessary.
I’m slowly working on finding opportunities to clear my head of the onslaught of life and integrating that into my weekly and daily routine.
New in my life: freezer is full, always make sure you’re properly hydrated, I’m 15 lbs from Joe having to give me all my college t-shirts back.
Way Out West,
Dr. Tarp
Travis Arp is a chronic creative writer, lover of craft beer and Doctorate of Meat Sciences dwelling in Denver. He spends his time pursuing the outdoors, renovating furniture and catching a band play with his lady.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Stronger Wood has More Rings
I buy almond milk now, but almonds don't lactate so it's a mental conundrum for me. My stomach is more at ease though with my new found purchasing habits.
Milk is a vital thing for us mammals. It's one of the growing foundations for our body amidst a very vulnerable time of life. Distrust is a strong word, but I think adults that drink milk are wasting their time, efforts and money. I'd rather have a beer. If you know that movie, I like you. Like more than a friend.
Along with other benefits, milk strengthens bones. When this obvious fact comes up, there is always someone that says "I don't drink milk and I've never broken a bone!" followed by someone else saying "Dude, you better knock on wood." Very original thoughts there Debbie.
Back to the strengthing of bones though, once your skeleton has fully matured, you're generally good to go to frolic around this big blue rock.
I semi-recently bought a home and it was built in 1961. It was a good year for the grapes. A lady name Paulette lived here at one point. She bought some shoes in 1976 for $7.64. I found her processed check in the attic. Seems like a nice lady.
The fun part about owning an older home is the projects that come with it. I'm not being sarcastic here. You get to challenge your brain on all sorts of new tasks. How do you repair drywall? Hanging a floating shelf? I've never done these before.
With all these small renovations though, the reason it's a great little cottage is that it has good bones. So even as the aesthetics become dated and functioning parts wear out, the core of the establishment still stands strong.
People often make the same comparison with cars. "She's not pretty, but the engine runs great."
As evolved primates, we should be aware of the body to mind relationship in the same way. As we become more veteran, there may be more creaks and pops when we stand up, but if you've put in the time and work, that shouldn't have any influence on the basis of who you are.
Wrinkles, balding, greyness and decreased driving skills happen. It's a natural fact of life, but your positivity, perspective, attitude and emotional intelligence don't have to follow suit. Those are just a few aspects of what I deem as someone's foundational being, but you may and should have your own versions.
Whatever traits you define your personality by, take the time to invest in those. Read more books. Listen to podcasts. Mentally decide each day to form the habit of being positive. To name a few.
Wrapping up here, just because your body deteriorates, doesn't mean the moral bones of who you are, have to as well. Be intentional about mental upkeep. Yep.
Keep smilin'
JM
New in my life: Fantastically and unexpectedly, I'm looking to festoon in Wyoming as a personal goal. Parenting isn't limited to creating offspring. In a calculated effort, I'm outsourcing my interior design.
Milk is a vital thing for us mammals. It's one of the growing foundations for our body amidst a very vulnerable time of life. Distrust is a strong word, but I think adults that drink milk are wasting their time, efforts and money. I'd rather have a beer. If you know that movie, I like you. Like more than a friend.
Along with other benefits, milk strengthens bones. When this obvious fact comes up, there is always someone that says "I don't drink milk and I've never broken a bone!" followed by someone else saying "Dude, you better knock on wood." Very original thoughts there Debbie.
Back to the strengthing of bones though, once your skeleton has fully matured, you're generally good to go to frolic around this big blue rock.
I semi-recently bought a home and it was built in 1961. It was a good year for the grapes. A lady name Paulette lived here at one point. She bought some shoes in 1976 for $7.64. I found her processed check in the attic. Seems like a nice lady.
The fun part about owning an older home is the projects that come with it. I'm not being sarcastic here. You get to challenge your brain on all sorts of new tasks. How do you repair drywall? Hanging a floating shelf? I've never done these before.
With all these small renovations though, the reason it's a great little cottage is that it has good bones. So even as the aesthetics become dated and functioning parts wear out, the core of the establishment still stands strong.
People often make the same comparison with cars. "She's not pretty, but the engine runs great."
As evolved primates, we should be aware of the body to mind relationship in the same way. As we become more veteran, there may be more creaks and pops when we stand up, but if you've put in the time and work, that shouldn't have any influence on the basis of who you are.
Wrinkles, balding, greyness and decreased driving skills happen. It's a natural fact of life, but your positivity, perspective, attitude and emotional intelligence don't have to follow suit. Those are just a few aspects of what I deem as someone's foundational being, but you may and should have your own versions.
Whatever traits you define your personality by, take the time to invest in those. Read more books. Listen to podcasts. Mentally decide each day to form the habit of being positive. To name a few.
Wrapping up here, just because your body deteriorates, doesn't mean the moral bones of who you are, have to as well. Be intentional about mental upkeep. Yep.
Keep smilin'
JM
New in my life: Fantastically and unexpectedly, I'm looking to festoon in Wyoming as a personal goal. Parenting isn't limited to creating offspring. In a calculated effort, I'm outsourcing my interior design.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Contented Confinement
Adventurism. Noun: Defiance or disregard of accepted standards of behavior.
I used to go into the woods for hours on my parent's farm and build forts and play with sticks and chase squirrels and often times, just sit in the silence. It wasn't an understood trigger at the time, but my soul was growing accustomed to the tranquility.
I'll take walks at lunch in the concrete world I live in now, and listen to humanization bustling throughout it's day. Buses roaring by, impatient persons honking at intersections, or construction workers earning their keep. That same childhood trigger inside of me is begging me for a remote calm that I can escape to.
This restlessness in the soul isn't confined to a need to escape. It's also tied to a longing in the heart. I'm going to be gender specific here because that's the only perspective I have first-hand knowledge of.
As a male, growing up, and into my 20's, I didn't personally have a need for companionship. I had friends and I had family, girls were in my peripheral but not a focus. That was part of the reasoning for the tomfoolery before maturity. The other factor was my heart just wasn't ready to let it whole self be exposed.
The beauty of our life is that each one of us gets to our boiling point of settling down at different stages, different ages, and at different paces. It's a level of courage and comfort when you are ready to let your whole self be known by another human.
A lot of my friends have gotten there at many different points in their earthly tenure. Some are ready for that as soon as the high school diploma is in hand. Others never get there. Both are okay options.
A budget is important in life. It helps you decide what you're going to spend that commission check on. Typically my conversations with colleagues lead to: investing in kids, furniture, grass seed or simply financially cutting back on the bar scene. All good, worthwhile money dumps in my opinion.
My chest hurts sometimes. The "young man" in me shakes it off. It probably is heartburn from a dietary decision, but it might not be. I typed that out for shock value, not for sympathy.
Point being, spend your money on whatever you're passionate about or life guides you to. I'm going to keep planning my next adventure because that is where my soul still lives, but if a trampoline for the kiddos makes you look back and smile, swipe that Visa.
Don't let the shade of the grass of the other side of fence fear you into stress. Walk on your own path and don't criticize other's life cadence. Yep.
New in my life: Birdhouses are Superior and are supposed to face east. Rescue Rangers isn't just a quality tv show. Those exist with that born-on date.
Keep Smilin'
JM
I used to go into the woods for hours on my parent's farm and build forts and play with sticks and chase squirrels and often times, just sit in the silence. It wasn't an understood trigger at the time, but my soul was growing accustomed to the tranquility.
I'll take walks at lunch in the concrete world I live in now, and listen to humanization bustling throughout it's day. Buses roaring by, impatient persons honking at intersections, or construction workers earning their keep. That same childhood trigger inside of me is begging me for a remote calm that I can escape to.
This restlessness in the soul isn't confined to a need to escape. It's also tied to a longing in the heart. I'm going to be gender specific here because that's the only perspective I have first-hand knowledge of.
As a male, growing up, and into my 20's, I didn't personally have a need for companionship. I had friends and I had family, girls were in my peripheral but not a focus. That was part of the reasoning for the tomfoolery before maturity. The other factor was my heart just wasn't ready to let it whole self be exposed.
The beauty of our life is that each one of us gets to our boiling point of settling down at different stages, different ages, and at different paces. It's a level of courage and comfort when you are ready to let your whole self be known by another human.
A lot of my friends have gotten there at many different points in their earthly tenure. Some are ready for that as soon as the high school diploma is in hand. Others never get there. Both are okay options.
A budget is important in life. It helps you decide what you're going to spend that commission check on. Typically my conversations with colleagues lead to: investing in kids, furniture, grass seed or simply financially cutting back on the bar scene. All good, worthwhile money dumps in my opinion.
My chest hurts sometimes. The "young man" in me shakes it off. It probably is heartburn from a dietary decision, but it might not be. I typed that out for shock value, not for sympathy.
Point being, spend your money on whatever you're passionate about or life guides you to. I'm going to keep planning my next adventure because that is where my soul still lives, but if a trampoline for the kiddos makes you look back and smile, swipe that Visa.
Don't let the shade of the grass of the other side of fence fear you into stress. Walk on your own path and don't criticize other's life cadence. Yep.
New in my life: Birdhouses are Superior and are supposed to face east. Rescue Rangers isn't just a quality tv show. Those exist with that born-on date.
Keep Smilin'
JM
Friday, May 24, 2019
Namaste Your Day
Your health will run out before your money does. The speed of life is a bell curve. It starts out slow, with time to kill and no responsibilities except eating, pooping and sleeping. Then year-by-year we start collecting activities that take up our time. You begin playing sports around the same time your body starts producing breeding chemicals, then maybe you pick up a job mowing yards. Life blurs by and you build all sorts of great relationships that make up for trips and traveling and filling up your memory bank.
Then you hit 25 and society makes
you an adult. Instead of learning arithmetic or biology, you start learning
what coinsurance and a Roth 401k are, and
how to make sure your bills are paid each month. All this life takes up time
and keeps you at a rhythm pacing down the mental checklist we’re supposed to
follow. Houses and dogs and babies and more babies happen and life is
grand. It’s fast and it’s literally, productive.
You probably see where I’m going with this, but eventually, life gets quieter again and you gain your asset of time back. Retirement seems
great if you’ve maintained hobbies that you’re still passionate about over your
tenure. It also seems great if you focus
on the right things. Naturally, our thoughts go to how much time we have left
versus how much we’ve accomplished in the past. The brain is built that way.
If you're like me, you have moments feeling like your just doggy paddling to keep your head above all the commotion. I also have moments where I fall back into the trap of feeling like I'm behind on my tasks of life. Colleague comparison is normal but not healthy.
If you're like me, you have moments feeling like your just doggy paddling to keep your head above all the commotion. I also have moments where I fall back into the trap of feeling like I'm behind on my tasks of life. Colleague comparison is normal but not healthy.
In regards to feeling like you're being lapped by the pace car in life, this brings me to a practice I’ve been doing for a while, but
never knew it had been termed: Negative Visualization. You picture the worst
possible outcome, emotionally you think about how you would respond, become okay
with that, and then breathe easier the rest of your day.
It allows you to take a moment to worry and release the
fears you have. Then go on with your life. If it turns out happening
detrimentally as you thought, at least you can say you saw it coming. Most of
the time though, that Armageddon game plan that your brain produced, doesn’t
come to fruition.
If you are having thoughts that life isn’t pacing to your
liking, you're normal and God is chuckling. Deep breathe in, deep breathe out.
Namaste your day.
New in my life: Makes me wonder. I decorate with cow parts. Support your local library
and public lands.
Keep smilin'
JM
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Human Paraphernalia
Things. Stuff. Items. Possessions. We started our upright career on earth as hunter-gatherers. These days, most of us are just gatherers. In terms of food, it's from Trader Joe's or your local Walmart, but we tend to spend our tenure collecting random life memorabilia to fill up our homes.
I recently got the flu and in an attempt to sit on my hands I watched the movie "Leave No Trace". I found it pretty boring and really wouldn't recommend it, but it approaches this subject of not needing more human paraphernalia to fill our voids. At one point the main actor states to another "we don't need more things." That rather anticlimactic line has stuck with me for the past couple of weeks. We really don't.
I just bought a home as a single dude. Firstly, I didn't realize that Target has over 250 options for curtain rods. When we're little kids and there are 32 flavors of ice cream at Baskin Robins that we have to choose from, that was training for curtain rod shopping. Funny side note, when I typed in 'stuff' to Thesaurus.com, a digital ad populated above it for curtains and rugs. Oh, the irony.
Back from that tangent, secondly, it takes a lot to fill a home. As much as I want to have everything perfectly decorated and in place, I can't help but wonder what is going to come of all the furnishings I'm adding to my collection post mortem? Morbid, yes. Perspective, yes.
I'm not hopping on the Minimalist train here. I'm sure Marie Kondo and a million other media sources can preach on that for me. In fact, I love finding something unique that I can look at every day that brings me a sense of appreciation. I also love the release of giving my possessions away to someone else who sees value in it.
Prior to the bank and I purchasing a home together, I spent the 3 years before slowly and strategically getting rid of as much of my stuff as I could. The feeling was freeing. I loved offloading at my local Goodwill. Something I put into practice was to have a running bag of Goodwill items. So every time I was organizing a closet or trying to find a good storage spot, I would mentally check whether it could go in my giveaway bag.
I loved knowing that at any moment I could get a truck and load up my entire life if I wanted to move. I get why people give away everything they own when they're elderly. They're looking back on years of experience and they know what's important. It's not their bedframe or curtain rods or Yeti cooler. It's the people they loved along the way.
Food, shelter, water, sex. The basic needs that motivate us to move around when we're awake. Care less about things. Care more about people. Yep.
New in my life: There's a good beer from a good state I'm diggin. Livin on love, buying on time. Sticking to my guns about bow hunting.
Keep smilin'
JM
I recently got the flu and in an attempt to sit on my hands I watched the movie "Leave No Trace". I found it pretty boring and really wouldn't recommend it, but it approaches this subject of not needing more human paraphernalia to fill our voids. At one point the main actor states to another "we don't need more things." That rather anticlimactic line has stuck with me for the past couple of weeks. We really don't.
I just bought a home as a single dude. Firstly, I didn't realize that Target has over 250 options for curtain rods. When we're little kids and there are 32 flavors of ice cream at Baskin Robins that we have to choose from, that was training for curtain rod shopping. Funny side note, when I typed in 'stuff' to Thesaurus.com, a digital ad populated above it for curtains and rugs. Oh, the irony.
Back from that tangent, secondly, it takes a lot to fill a home. As much as I want to have everything perfectly decorated and in place, I can't help but wonder what is going to come of all the furnishings I'm adding to my collection post mortem? Morbid, yes. Perspective, yes.
I'm not hopping on the Minimalist train here. I'm sure Marie Kondo and a million other media sources can preach on that for me. In fact, I love finding something unique that I can look at every day that brings me a sense of appreciation. I also love the release of giving my possessions away to someone else who sees value in it.
Prior to the bank and I purchasing a home together, I spent the 3 years before slowly and strategically getting rid of as much of my stuff as I could. The feeling was freeing. I loved offloading at my local Goodwill. Something I put into practice was to have a running bag of Goodwill items. So every time I was organizing a closet or trying to find a good storage spot, I would mentally check whether it could go in my giveaway bag.
I loved knowing that at any moment I could get a truck and load up my entire life if I wanted to move. I get why people give away everything they own when they're elderly. They're looking back on years of experience and they know what's important. It's not their bedframe or curtain rods or Yeti cooler. It's the people they loved along the way.
Food, shelter, water, sex. The basic needs that motivate us to move around when we're awake. Care less about things. Care more about people. Yep.
New in my life: There's a good beer from a good state I'm diggin. Livin on love, buying on time. Sticking to my guns about bow hunting.
Keep smilin'
JM
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Downward Doggin'
I have a buddy who notices horizons more frequently than I do. I'll be following him to a location, we'll get out and he'll ask "Did you see that view?" Ashamedly I have to respond no. I'd like to think it's because I'm a damn good driver. 10 and 2 beats a view. I always say.
Although I am a diligent driver, that's not the reason I don't notice the good-looking surroundings along my course. Often times, I'll admit, it's because I'm too focused on my schedule or the podcast or a stressor in my life or the burrito I'm about to eat. I get wrapped up in the short term.
I feel that anyone who holds themselves to a schedule of sorts could admit the same selfish focus that takes over their day from time to time. We tend to forget about perspective and our long term values when we get in our productivity zone.
I'm not ragging on productivity. America is built on it. It's the reason Chik-Fil-A exists. (Don't ask me to explain that logic, I just really like Chik-Fil-A) In all seriousness though, I appreciate putting in 8 hours of work, checking off a to-do list and coming home feeling like a fulfilled worker bee. It's a good driver of motivation and you should be proud of a hard day's work when you're mentally and physically beat pulling into the driveway.
Sprinting is a great form of exercise but so is yoga. It's important to slow our roles from time to time throughout our day. Maybe it is as simple as leaving the office for a 10-minute walk on your break to clear your mind and let your eyes adjust to a non-screen setting. Or physically get up from your desk to go talk to Tammy in accounting instead of sending her an email. The communication will break you from your grind.
Your pile of work will always be a pile and your inbox doesn't stop filling up. That's not what we remember looking back as elders. We remember the conversations, relationships and the views along the highway. Pump the brakes along your route occasionally to enjoy the view. Your 80 year old self will appreciate it. Yep.
New in my life: Biologically I don't have eggs, but I'm building a nest. I've reached a new point of maturity, I now have a jar for old nails and screws. Compost, garden, veggies, repeat #shedrally
Keep smilin'
JM
Although I am a diligent driver, that's not the reason I don't notice the good-looking surroundings along my course. Often times, I'll admit, it's because I'm too focused on my schedule or the podcast or a stressor in my life or the burrito I'm about to eat. I get wrapped up in the short term.
I feel that anyone who holds themselves to a schedule of sorts could admit the same selfish focus that takes over their day from time to time. We tend to forget about perspective and our long term values when we get in our productivity zone.
I'm not ragging on productivity. America is built on it. It's the reason Chik-Fil-A exists. (Don't ask me to explain that logic, I just really like Chik-Fil-A) In all seriousness though, I appreciate putting in 8 hours of work, checking off a to-do list and coming home feeling like a fulfilled worker bee. It's a good driver of motivation and you should be proud of a hard day's work when you're mentally and physically beat pulling into the driveway.
Sprinting is a great form of exercise but so is yoga. It's important to slow our roles from time to time throughout our day. Maybe it is as simple as leaving the office for a 10-minute walk on your break to clear your mind and let your eyes adjust to a non-screen setting. Or physically get up from your desk to go talk to Tammy in accounting instead of sending her an email. The communication will break you from your grind.
Your pile of work will always be a pile and your inbox doesn't stop filling up. That's not what we remember looking back as elders. We remember the conversations, relationships and the views along the highway. Pump the brakes along your route occasionally to enjoy the view. Your 80 year old self will appreciate it. Yep.
New in my life: Biologically I don't have eggs, but I'm building a nest. I've reached a new point of maturity, I now have a jar for old nails and screws. Compost, garden, veggies, repeat #shedrally
Keep smilin'
JM
Monday, March 4, 2019
Vegans have feelings too
I work in a sometimes-controversial industry. When it comes to what people eat, they can get provincial, opinionated, argumentative and sometimes downright mean. I often hear people say, “you wouldn’t want to meet my friend, they’re a vegetarian,” in fear that I’m incapable of finding common ground with someone who may fundamentally oppose what I chose as a career path.
I used to be the guy who’d clap back at people who denigrated the agriculture industry, engaging in long back and forths on social media, aggravatingly checking my notifications to see how the person (often someone I’ve never met) opted to respond, and hurriedly pounding out a response with the slightest bit of self-assurance that this was the argument that’d put them in their place and make them understand how wrong and stupid they were.
It never was.
More typically, this would go on and on, pulling a few more innocent bystanders into the conversation with a “...well actually...” and snowballing until you had to begrudgingly separate yourself and move on. It was an exhausting way to spend my online experience.
It took a while, but eventually, I had to ask myself what was I accomplishing? Was I changing hearts and minds, or just showing my ass in the same way that the person who baited me into an argument had when they started it? Or was I just being a dick? Was it worth it?
I still engage in social media, albeit in a lighter version than years past, but I still observe the same behavior in the people I follow. Setting agriculture aside, we’ve all seen an argument play out like I described, and probably more so nowadays, on any matter of subjects; politics, music, sports, and on and on. And again, I come back to the same question: is it worth it?
I think about how an interaction like this would translate to real life (spoiler alert: Twitter is not a substitute for IRL-experiences). Sure, there are plenty of folks whose online anger translates into real life. But stepping away from your keyboard, you realize that most of these arguments don’t happen if you don’t have internet barrier between you, and you probably find more common ground face to face vs. trying to fit your quips into 280 characters. It gets harder to do every day, but I think pausing to realize that what’s going on in your phone apps do not positively reflect the total reality of day to day life can be a bit liberating when your online presence drags you down.
Especially in 2019, when we are bombarded by negativity from all sides 24/7/365, coming up for air from the depths of social media is probably more necessary than ever to keep perspective on the day-to-day.
So, do I actually hate your vegetarian friend? I know several very friendly vegetarians that I can find plenty of common ground outside of meat. We may not see eye-to-eye on some topics, but ultimately, we make our own decisions. I don’t want to be berated for my decisions, so I shouldn’t berate you for yours. Maybe that needs to be the Golden Rule in 2019.
New in my life: I have resolutions and I’ll tell you what they were in 2020, going to cash in those frequent flier miles this year, 2019 will be the year of #fillmyfreezer.
Keep smilin'
Dr. Arp
Travis Arp is an avid writer, hiker and traveler in Colorado. He works as a Senior Director at the US Meat Export Federation. When he's not traveling abroad working to better the US meat industry, he's either out on a mountainous trail with his wife and two dogs or enjoying a cold craft beer a local brewery.
I used to be the guy who’d clap back at people who denigrated the agriculture industry, engaging in long back and forths on social media, aggravatingly checking my notifications to see how the person (often someone I’ve never met) opted to respond, and hurriedly pounding out a response with the slightest bit of self-assurance that this was the argument that’d put them in their place and make them understand how wrong and stupid they were.
It never was.
More typically, this would go on and on, pulling a few more innocent bystanders into the conversation with a “...well actually...” and snowballing until you had to begrudgingly separate yourself and move on. It was an exhausting way to spend my online experience.
It took a while, but eventually, I had to ask myself what was I accomplishing? Was I changing hearts and minds, or just showing my ass in the same way that the person who baited me into an argument had when they started it? Or was I just being a dick? Was it worth it?
I still engage in social media, albeit in a lighter version than years past, but I still observe the same behavior in the people I follow. Setting agriculture aside, we’ve all seen an argument play out like I described, and probably more so nowadays, on any matter of subjects; politics, music, sports, and on and on. And again, I come back to the same question: is it worth it?
I think about how an interaction like this would translate to real life (spoiler alert: Twitter is not a substitute for IRL-experiences). Sure, there are plenty of folks whose online anger translates into real life. But stepping away from your keyboard, you realize that most of these arguments don’t happen if you don’t have internet barrier between you, and you probably find more common ground face to face vs. trying to fit your quips into 280 characters. It gets harder to do every day, but I think pausing to realize that what’s going on in your phone apps do not positively reflect the total reality of day to day life can be a bit liberating when your online presence drags you down.
Especially in 2019, when we are bombarded by negativity from all sides 24/7/365, coming up for air from the depths of social media is probably more necessary than ever to keep perspective on the day-to-day.
So, do I actually hate your vegetarian friend? I know several very friendly vegetarians that I can find plenty of common ground outside of meat. We may not see eye-to-eye on some topics, but ultimately, we make our own decisions. I don’t want to be berated for my decisions, so I shouldn’t berate you for yours. Maybe that needs to be the Golden Rule in 2019.
New in my life: I have resolutions and I’ll tell you what they were in 2020, going to cash in those frequent flier miles this year, 2019 will be the year of #fillmyfreezer.
Keep smilin'
Dr. Arp
Travis Arp is an avid writer, hiker and traveler in Colorado. He works as a Senior Director at the US Meat Export Federation. When he's not traveling abroad working to better the US meat industry, he's either out on a mountainous trail with his wife and two dogs or enjoying a cold craft beer a local brewery.
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