Every writer deals with the fact that when they write honestly, their words may anger and upset others. Lately I've heard from a few people that some have found my posts distasteful--they don't agree with my point of view.
I write a blog that I sometimes share via Twitter and less frequently via Facebook. I don't write to please or displease others, but I write to figure out the truth of matters and lead my life, and perhaps other lives, forward.
I don't expect people to agree with me or like or dislike my posts. What I write is the truth, questions, observations, and connections I am making at the moment. If you follow my blog posts overtime you will note that multiple perspectives and ideas have changed over time while some have remained the same. I invite people to respectfully disagree with me and/or offer their point of view. I will block people who rudely and offensively react to my posts--I am not open to rude, offensive, hateful responses, but I am open to honest, thoughtful, respectful challenge. I don't know it all and never will, and I, as I believe of all people, am a work in progress continually assessing the world around me and within to find the most truthful, worthwhile path possible.
I write a small blog read by few, yet I think deeply about how people react to my posts, and when people react with hate and disrespect, I do feel bad. I also listen carefully to and keenly observe people's reactions as I believe that we have to be mindful of how those around us are acting towards our words and actions--there is typically something to learn from everyone's reactions. That's why I take responses seriously and sometimes even change my point of view or discourse as a result of those responses. I never change my words or actions purely to please--I only change if I believe it is the honest, respecful, right thing to do.
With this in mind, I have to expect that some will distance themselves from me because of my point of view, ideas, and perspectives--that will happen when you are willing to tell your truth, question, and ponder multiple ideas and ways of being. It is also important to note that I rarely write about one person or one episode. Typically I take what happened in one sphere and look at similar patterns and events across many arenas to reach some general conclusions, follow-up actions, or questions.
Writers with much greater audiences have to be far braver than me because they write to a wide world of varying opinions and thoughts. They have to stand strong about their truth, perspectives, and reporting--the best of them don't kowtow to public opinion, but instead stay faithful to the truth of the matter and the truth of their perspective at the moment. These courageous reporters have to be willing to change their point of view and reporting too if the facts point in that direction.
In summary, when we write, we won't face agreement and support from all around us--some will disagree with us, and that's good for our writing and our understanding of the world around us. This is especially good when our detractors face us with honesty and respect--that is when their points of view are the most impactful. Onward.