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Shelle's avatar

There are people who are sensitive souls who are conservatives. I happen to one of them. Honestly, I hope there are a lot of us!

While I appreciate Jeff's approach and don't want him to change, sometimes I want to pass on a post to someone I believe could use it, but I stop to consider whether that person, not knowing his style, might be offended. I want to encourage you to not dismiss the people writing on this topic to Jeff as being insincere as he describes their emails as "sincere, private, well-intended".

God didn't make us all alike and I'm so glad he didn't. I couldn't be someone in the front lines like nurses I know seeing so much traumatic stuff, but I listen to people's hearts and offer comfort in a way I've been told few people do. It is a gift of being a sensitive, compassionate person, but it also overwhelms me at times.

We each have our own style and gifts and someone isn't a leftist troll just because they may find the X heartbreaking and not instantly appreciate what Jeff intended. It took me awhile. I would see the X at times and it would pierce my heart and I'd just have to stop a moment before I could read on. I think that is part of the purpose, but for people with hearts that already deeply feel the world's sorrow, imagine how this may strike them.

I'm not one of those who wanted Jeff to change about this, I actually think it is very effective, especially for people more calloused. But try to appreciate that our strength is in having people with varying personalities and approaches all on the same side, so there's no need to criticize those who find the X too much.

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HUMDEEDEE's avatar

Worrying about offending people has gotten out of hand. Just stop it.

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Jennifer L.'s avatar

I appreciate your sentiment, but I think it is misplaced here. Don't let what's been going on in leftyville make you callous to people on your side. IOW, don't let your love grow cold.

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Leo's avatar

Maybe just avoid being calloused to people on either side...

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Jennifer L.'s avatar

even better!

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Lisa Ca's avatar

I agree

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Cece8085's avatar

Heartily agree with Shelle’s response. The red x’s do sometimes jar me but it forces me to recognize that we have just lost another precious soul in the fabric of our shared humanity. I will continue to live my life with “faith over fear”.

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Bryn Cannon's avatar

I am also a sensitive person. But the world is often a brutal place, and those of us who are sensitive have a responsibility to deal with that just like everyone else. Everyone has something that is hard to deal with, and expecting everyone else to adjust is unreasonable.

Let Jeff be who he is. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Assume good intentions until you have evidence otherwise. And deal with your issues. The world doesn’t revolve around any of us.

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Shelle's avatar

Agreed. The point I hoped to make was that it's okay for someone to privately message Jeff (or whoever else) about their take that may be tender-hearted. It's not being a troll. He can do with it what he will, but it's not a bad thing that we have different temperaments and perspectives. And, hey, it's useful to know! I have found such value in learning how to interact with different people by paying attention to perspectives such as these.

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daverkb's avatar

Also, they used our 'sensitivities' and 'uber-politeness' against us to throttle down our effectiveness at punching back.

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Loretta's avatar

When I want to forward Jeff's post, I just say: "Don't read this if you don't have a sense of humor and you cannot appreciate snark."

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LoveOur2Dogs's avatar

THIS is exactly how I feel. I find myself wanting to share one of his posts but don’t because I’m concerned the X may be misunderstood. It doesn’t bother me though.

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Scott Roberson's avatar

Well said, Shelle.

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Annie's avatar

Agree. They should practice the same back to the rest. Even if we aren't as sensitive.

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