Options and Friendship Bracelets

It seems as of late I've been getting more than a few emails regarding criticism on the web. That Halloween mask of anonymity. And–as many already know–those masks seem to love me. Emailers query how I cope with negativity on the web and how they should respond. Well, I'm here to say I don't know. How to respond. Because I haven't.

Until now.

I've been raised to believe I have options. I can pay attention to the madness that exists on forums and flickr groups…or I can't. It's just that simple. And I choose the latter. Yes, I realize there are people who disagree with my message, discredit my photography, and don't like who I am. That's fine. I'm not running for president. In fact, this single post has been the most I've ever said on the matter, but I suspect I'm not alone. Hence, this post.

So I don't respond. And, quite frankly, I couldn't care less. I'm busy doing what I love and haven't been compelled to try to make people like me. If you do, that's great. Thank you. The friendship bracelet is in the mail. If you don't like me, that's great too. Although you should be sad because I make awesome friendship bracelets.

If you're reading this and have been the recipient of inappropriate blog comments, anonymous emails filled with trash, or photographers ripping you a new one on a forum, let.it.go. The minute you divert your attention from what you love–what you're passionately following–is the minute you've lost sight of the thing that makes you beautiful: you.