Social Media Has Lost All Manners
I share Sorcery Soaps on social media because it delights me.
I want to share that joy. It is not an invitation for disparagement, sideways comments of disguised jealousy or outright hatred. No one asked. I don't want to know what you think. I want to know if this causes joy.
We live in a world where the negative, direness and redundancy of our life situation is in our feed, daily. Striving to find joy, manifest creativity (not just talk about it) and bring delight to others should not be disparaged.
I share where I find joy, what delights me. If it delights you, brings a smile to your face, mores the better for us and the world.
If you hate it, keep it to yourself.
Social media has lost all manners. Would you say what you just typed in person, to me? If not refrain.
My goal is to share and inspire. Why? Because that too delights me. If you find inspiration in what I'm doing with soap and are filled with that creative spirit, go! Go create! I'm thrilled. I love hearing that someone found inspiration in my creations, found a new way to approach their soap craft or lost time in play. That is true magic.
I share because I haven't seen someone do what I do with soap dough... yet. If this is possible with soap, what else is possible?
I share because this is a new art form. I share because it's stupid-fun and exciting. Not to expose myself to snarky comments and out-right thieves. Idea thieves. Someone who as stolen an idea and claimed it as their own. Not once recognizing all the work that went into executing the original idea. They just copied. Copied your book, parts of your book, your soap designs... Whatever it is. I see it. I don't always say something, but here I am. Saying something.
I will always support those who recognize the work that went into the original idea. I will always support those who can create, but are practicing with my ideas. I understand this subtle behavior, this is a path to finding your own creative voice.
Good artists can see the insight in coping better artists. I look to cake makers. Why do you think I look there instead of the soap community?
It should not be a requirement to have thick skin to share joy. It makes me bitter, private and resistant to share. A world of those who have been squashed, who find it a burden to share, is not a world I want to live in. So here are my thoughts on this topic. Because I am a louder voice for honor then joy-thieves and idea-pirates.
A friend wrote me yesterday about the idea-thieves and social media basement dwellers. She was struggling to continue with her brilliant work when so many commandeered her ideas, not one ounce of credit toward her innovations. I want you to know, friend, it gets to me too. I said a lot of sincere encouraging words, however, there are days when the stink is too strong.
Now, if you're thinking I should ignore this behavior, which is what I said to my friend yesterday, I agree, however, when someone shits on my head and tells me to ignore the stink... Well, I just cannot do that.
Do not misunderstand. I am not just looking for positive feedback. When you share back your sincere delight, your joy about one of my creations I can feel it. This is a telepathic communication, an intimate truth. Those who spew hatred think we are who don't behave that way are too dim or too polite to comment. I am not owned by anyone - not a boss, not a corporation. I'm not too polite any longer. Good manners and strong words can go hand-in-hand.
By the way, I shared before I had followers. Before anyone was paying attention. I shared when few understood soap dough. I shared before anyone else, but me, gave a crap about my creations. I shared because it delighted me.
Your skin does not get thicker. My mind is sharper, my insights through the facade more direct. I am only becoming more clear. Not deadened.
I share because inspiration is a delight of the gods.
9 comments
I love your sharing! I remember when I first started seeing your things and thinking that I could never do that. I tried it some and it was not satisfying but kept watching and reading. I was inspired to play around with soap dough again starting with simple things (always my downfall is trying the hard things first) and am quite enjoying playing around. Seeing your stuff and the stuff you inspired others to make is an inspiration and beauty makes the world better. I do not think I will ever be a master like you, but I love everything you share and share your joy.
I started soaping just under 2 yrs ago and was fascinated with the process. I lost my daughter around the same time and found soaping was and still is my therapy. When I discovered soap dough through Sorcery Soaps I was SO IMPRESSED AND INSPIRED by your creations and creativity. Your beautiful creations lead me to my own inspirations…thank you for sharing your skills and talent.
I started soaping just under 2 yrs ago and was fascinated with the process. I lost my daughter around the same time and found soaping was and still is my therapy. When I discovered soap dough through Sorcery Soaps I was SO IMPRESSED AND INSPIRED by your creations and creativity. Your beautiful creations lead me to my own inspirations…thank you for sharing your talent.
My 13 year old daughter loves to make creations with clay, and I love making soap. In looking at what was out there to combine the two, hoping to spend more time with my teenager, I happened upon your website and I bought 2 of your books. She fell in love with the idea of making ‘soap clay’ as she calls it now, and we have so much fun spending time together creating and playing. Thank you for sharing your creations.
I’m interested to know what path this seemingly unfortunate situation will either lead you, or the other person.
So many hard lessons here.
You are so right. It amazes me that people can be negative over someone else’s beautiful creativity. I have been following your work for awhile but haven’t taken the leap yet. You are inspiring and I hate you have people that steal your ideas and won’t give due credit.