Reflection, The Post, and My Realization
Hello Dear Friends,
I’m sure I’ve hurt someone without even knowing it. I know I’ve overlooked someone without even realizing it.
I’ve been reflecting on something that floored me. The experience has rocked me and made me rethink how I engage online.
I saw a post where someone put an individual on blast for a wrong. They shared how they felt mistreated and claimed it showed the individual didn’t care.
Here’s the kicker: the person posting had done something similar to me—and it hurt.
It stung to read their callout because it mirrored my own experience. For a moment, I felt angry at the hypocrisy. But then, I had THE realization that rocked me.
I’ve probably—no, I am sure—I’ve done the same to someone else and don’t even know it. I’m sure I’ve hurt someone. And for that, I’m sorry.
The key is that our interactions don’t happen in a vacuum. They’re filled with layers of context and circumstances we can’t and may never fully see. Maybe that individual is dealing with hard realities right now. Maybe they are just doing their best under difficult circumstances. Maybe they are burnt out.
I don’t know their full story—and they didn’t know mine.
When a student fails my class, I always remind them that this is just a snapshot of their life at the moment. It reflects all the things they can and can’t control. We all have bad moments, but those moments don’t define who we are. We all need grace.
Calling people out publicly doesn’t always lead to resolution. Instead, it risks creating more hurt and misunderstanding. I can now see how tone-deaf it can be, especially for those who may feel unseen or unheard by us.
So here’s my commitment: I’m going to focus on doing better.
I’ll work to resolve issues privately and approach situations with curiosity rather than judgment. I’ll strive to assume good intent, even when it’s hard, and acknowledge that we’re all navigating complexities others might not see.
None of us are perfect, and we’re bound to make mistakes.
I know I have. If I’ve ever hurt you—I am sorry. I should’ve done better.
How others act is beyond our control. But, how we react is a choice, and we can choose to lead with grace, empathy, and humility.
The image was created by Midjourney using the following prompt: I’m sure I’ve hurt someone without even knowing it. I know I’ve overlooked someone without even realizing it.
