“I find you to be a Looky-Lou.”
I used this expression recently with a friend, who looked at me like I was from outer space. I guess from where she hails from this was an expression never used. (Surprising how many of the phrases are not part of our shared culture).
I was sharing how frustrating it can be in the social media world when sharing posts that an entire swath of folks will peer in from the sidelines and never risk a thing in relationship. I stated, “I’m tired of Looky-Loos who seem to have very clearly defined perspectives on what I may post but will never have the courage to share their own, even in person or relationship. Any one relate?
One of the things I have never really had trouble with is– sharing my opinion. I will acknowledge this can be both a curse and a blessing. I think we all have differing opinions and I do find it strange so many people are unwilling to share them. Now mind you, in the private spaces and maybe with a reserved one to two they will be quick to have their opinion – more about yours than theirs, but why?
Why is the default position, not to share because someone may disagree? What is it about disagreement that is immediately viewed as “CONFLICT”? In our current culture, I absolutley see the risks for sharing – “cancel culture” may come for you. However, I have experienced many people like this for decades. Disagreement = conflict. For which I truly have NEVER been able to understand. Maybe I like debate too much?
One of the saddest positions we have had through the years is – “Don’t talk politics or religion.” Now we have an entire society unable to do either. I will say that is from the devil, he whispered to the believers for too long – don’t stand up for truth or the “did GOD really say?”
They say, “politics is downstream from culture”. Our current American culture has been “cultivated/curated’ to not speak THE TRUTH, only your truth (no matter how false it may be). So when there is no ABSOLUTE TRUTHS, male/female, one race (Human) – how do you move forward in the conversation at all?? Clearly, you can’t in our current fantasy culture.
I will absolutely acknowledge my devolving over the past year into negativity and accusation, memes and sarcasim have reigned off and on in my world. It’s not pretty, and for that I go to my Lord and ask for forgiveness and a way forward. This year has broke a lot for all. I do want to be solution focused AND I will also call out evil where I see it. Some have called me out as evil/hurtful/negative, but mostly they do it from the sidelines. Peering in from afar and accessing their judgement accodrdingly, never a personal conversation or something that would look like, holding a believer accountable and asking to sharpen me up. But, I here it from a far— as a Looky-lou would rubberneck an accident. Never stopping but in a split second deciding how things must have gone down.
So the question rumbling around for me today is- Are you a Looky-lou? A peeper, voyeur of sorts, standing around watching and taking in but not actively part of the conversation to create positive change?
To you – friend or distant part of my universe – I would welcome conversation about the tough things and know we CAN agree to disagree but fixing what is broken won’t happen unless there is engagement.
Peace to you whomever may read.
Mama Bear Moments 