Edification or Eradication?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

The world we all live in has become more and more divisive, difficult, and dark. I see social media posts that constantly tear other people down. And of course, there are those posts that lift you up and give you a lot of encouragement.

As I pondered on our human behavior, the words edify and eradicate came to mind. When we edify another, it means to "build up". On the other hand, to eradicate means to completely "destroy" something. 

Why others spend so much precious time and energy trying to destroy others is beyond me. I just cannot wrap my brain around people who desire to annihilate others. What is the end game?

 Our time on this earth is fleeting, precious, and unknown. As we lost a precious member of our Active Rain family, Grant Schneider, yesterday, his death reminds us of this fact. None of us are promised any given number of days.

My challenge to us all is to live however many remaining days you have left working to edify and build up others. Grant certainly did that to his AR community. In his honor, let's choose words and actions that bring honor, joy, and smiles to others.

Let's choose to edify rather than eradicate in all that we do. Blessings, my Active Rain family and to those of you out there in this cyber-media world. Even if we have yet to meet, I pray that you experience a beautiful and joyful day.

Posted by

Comments (12)

Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

thanks for the thoughtful post . Social media can be a very dark place despite all it does to connect us 

Jan 27, 2023 12:49 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Yes, Lisa Howe, it saddens me to see so many out there tearing one another down. Senseless!

Jan 27, 2023 01:01 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Paula I simply do not give any attention or time to those that are attempting to eradicate people. I focus on what is working well and  to edify folks each and every day. This is simply a choice I made many years ago and it works really well for me.  Make each day the very best...as we don't know when our time is up.

Jan 27, 2023 01:02 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Amen, Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker! It breaks my heart to see so much slander and damage being done to others.

Jan 27, 2023 01:06 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker

Paula I don't pay attention to any of it.  I consider this all - energy vampires.

Jan 27, 2023 01:14 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Paul,

You really nailed it on your post. I don't understand the need that some folks feel is so important in tearing others done. I slide right by their posts and rants and refuse to give them any time or creditability. We never know when our time is up and life is way too precious on not being there for others and lifting them up!!

Jan 27, 2023 04:35 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Amen, Dorie Dillard Austin TX - with all of the people who are passing away too soon in life, I hope many will take this message to heart.

Jan 27, 2023 05:09 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Great post, Paula... and I agree... I've never figured out the end game of those people who just want to tear down others. Maybe it's due to lack of confidence in themselves. Maybe it's just because some people are plain old mean. Regardless, life is so much better when we build up those around us and help make their lives better.

Jan 28, 2023 05:37 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate

Learning that someone we know has died is definitely a slap in the face kind of reminder of how fleeting and precious life is.  

Dr. Paula McDonald people are something else.  I will never understand the hate and downright evil in people. 

Jan 28, 2023 09:06 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

It is so easy to become negative in the world, but it is so much more rewarding to look for the good in everything.  It took me too long to give up my unofficial job title of critic.  Heck, I wasn't even being paid for it!

Jan 28, 2023 09:29 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Paula- for me, I've always felt that if someone feels the need to belittle, put someone down, or eradicate someone else it tells me that they don't feel good about themselves. They probably don't really like themselves much either. This is why people without healthy egos usually make poor managers. 

Jan 28, 2023 12:33 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

There's no question that social media has a dark side to it.  I often shake my head at the outright cruelty some folks can exhibit while participating on certain platforms.

Jan 28, 2023 01:23 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Paula, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Jan 28, 2023 01:23 PM