Truth be told, I didn’t want to have to do this. We should all act like grown-ups, right? Apparently, that’s not always the case. In a nutshell, these are things I absolutely cannot and will not tolerate:
Bullying. Belittling. Berating.
What this blog IS:
*The honest story of my life with a physical disability and my unique road to love.
*A collection of things that inspire me, both the fun and the whimsical.
*A place where we can respectfully, civilly and maturely discuss and reflect on the above topics.
Therefore, I won’t stand for attacking, belittling or otherwise sheer nastiness just for the sake of putting other people down. While I want this blog to be an open forum, I’ve always wanted it to be an open forum for the exchange of ideas, not verbal, repeated and just plain low and petty assaults cowardly veiled behind anonymity.
The new rule: Using the anonymous feature for attacks and posting nasty, bullying or berating comments anonymously will automatically be deleted.
I hope you can all understand this new policy, and be on board with me. We’re not in high school anymore. So, friends, the Mean Girl (and Mean Guy…) mentality stops today. I simply will not tolerate nor allow that sort of negativity. Life is just too short to let certain people’s insecurities and tear-down tactics stop you from being who you are.
Be proud of who you are and walk (or roll…) tall. I know I’m going to. Who’s with me? xoxo
[Photos via That Girl]
Man Candy Monday.
Family Photos: Harry, the cat model
Tuesday Tunes: Sting’s “Fields of Gold”
Diana Mieczan says
I am with you,darling:)
Its shameful for people to do stuff like that!!!!
Hope you are doing ok!
Kisses,sweetie
The Boob Nazi says
I finally disabled anonymous comments because I want a "face" behind the mean comments. People get so nasty on the internet.
Lillian Chang says
I'm so with you, Melissa! Those people who are willing to take the time to put negativity out into the world – they have some serious issues they need to sort out on their own.
Anyway, it's a great thing, to not allow your beautiful space to house that negativity.
Sending love to you today! 🙂
April says
Well, I'm still in high school 😉 but I get what you're saying. people need to get a life if they can find nothing better to do than try and put others down from behind a computer screen.
Melissa Blake says
thanks, guys! It's not a civil discussion of issues I have a problem with; it's the cycle of bullying that is so rampant on the internet that i WON'T put up with, you know? xoxo
kate says
sad sad people that spend time in their day being hurtful. Continute to be beautiful and lovely, I look forward to you every single day!
Kate
bink and boo says
It saddens me to know that a policy like this has to be in enforced such a beautiful blog. People can be so ugly.
I am on board Miss Melissa!
Kate says
Sounds good! Sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do! I can't stand seeing mean commenters, but honestly, I can't help but think how sad they are themselves! Just lonely people who have nothing better to do but bring others down!
*kate
Cassandra Marie says
Hey Melissa! I just wanted to stop by and say hi, and thank you for your sweet comment! 🙂
xo,
Cassie
Have Myelin? says
i stopped by to say 'but of course?'
nasty peeps are simply jealous of your delightful wit.
ag. says
i absolutely LOVE that first photo. beautiful!
and i totally support your decision…it's really a shame people can't take responsibility for their words. there's no need for you to accept the negativity in your life just because you have opened yourself up to the world. bullying needs to be stopped!
Tonia says
I don't blame you, there really have been some things posted that have made me mad and slightly nauseated – why are people like that? To quote the Simpsons: some are just jerks.
Our Crazy Family says
Way to stick up for your blog!
Cynthia
Mary says
Hear hear! Mean anonymous commenters are sad. (Go listen to Juliana Hatfield's song called "Dear Anonymous" – fits with this post perfectly. 🙂
Stacey says
I'm with ya Mel:-). I love that first love pic too.
Aspiring Kennedy says
good for you! why can't everyone be so nice & lovely? it's such a bother, really…
Anna M Blanch says
I'm totally with you! gosh, you wouldn't get invited back to my place with meanness like that…! hope you're having a lovely day by the way, melissa!
Multi-Ainjo says
Absolutely in line with you.
Those Sad Anonymous and their thinly veiled self-hatred.
Hollie says
good for you! I get sick to my stomach when I see people posting rude things on your blog. You are an amazing and very talented person, and you certainly don't deserve to be insulted.
Nicola says
I'm with you! 🙂
Juliana says
Melissa-I am NOT happy to hear this. Whoever is doing this, I will cough on them. Have you thought about not allowing anonymous comments or do you have many people who comment without an account?
Phoenix Rising says
So sorry it's come to this. I'm so bewildered. I guess because I'm just not the cowardly person that would hide behind the Anonymous veil… certainly not to be mean. I'm glad you faced this head on and talked about it. Thank you. It's a GREAT policy!
blue moss says
we should all stand behind our words and actions….
good policy
Cecilia says
It's a shame it has had to come down to that, but you need to do what you need to do. it's a good policy and people need to stand behind what they say. I love your blog and can't imagine anyone saying negative things about your writing and thoughts.
Dancing Branflake says
You go girl! I am so with you on all of this. I have your back 110%.
The Jilted Lovers says
Anyone who makes mean comments behind an anonymous facade is a coward! 🙂 much love xx
Jennifer says
I'm glad you're doing this. The insensitive coward's comments added nothing to the conversation.
Melissa Blake says
Glad you all agree with me! Thanks for the support…you all rock! xoxo
p.s. and yes, how sad is it that a formal policy is necessary? you'd think it would be common sense, wouldn't you?
trishie says
Good on you!!
Say no to the bullies and cowards!
~Azucar~ says
It sucks that a formal policy has to be necessary, but I support you ^_^
MellJBrown says
I agree fully
trolling is bad enough, but anon trolling is just cowardice. Some people just need to get a life, I don't know why blogger even allows the option of anonymity. It's not often people use it to say nice things.
– m xx
Jamie says
Glad you're doing this!!
nicole addison says
aw beautiful girl im sorry you have had to deal with this. but smart idea and you know what, you are incredible inside and out so don't even let those people bring you or anyone else down! xo!!
Damsels says
i hate that they leave those comments , i mean even the ones that make pretend that they are not doing it maliciously are just being fake and for what purpose ?
what can be gained?
Maggie says
You go girl! It's true people can be so mean. If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says
i understand totally!! you're doing the right thing, Melissa!!
ceritajanuari says
I'm with you dear.. That's a very right thing you do! =)
Lorelai● says
with u 100%!!
go girl, do your thing, dont listen to nobody!
Lorelai● says
with u 100%!!
go girl, do your thing, dont listen to nobody!
Melissa Blake says
Exactly, Maggie! That's one of my favorite phrases! 🙂
Gilding Lilies says
I am completely with you! I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience that made this post neccesary, what a shame!
jo_annie says
I am soooo with you on this one!
Dino says
I just want to tell you that you can not judge who is evil as anonymous.
Being anonymous is sometimes a choice "honest" to the ideas of thought, without being influenced by a pic.
I say that you are talking too much of this anonymous and this for more "strength".
And like a dog chasing its own tail.
Just ignore him … he will be extinguished like a candle.
Melissa … once I told you that readers will judge.
As you see, I have not been denied.
Anonymous says
i soo agree! this is so truee 🙂 sorry i put anonymous on this comment cz i dnt have a blogger accountt
Cindy says
Melissa you're absolutely correct! This is your world and you make the rules. If people can't play nice then no need having then around. Your page is about positivism and love – there's no room for anything lower than that. xoxo
latest pc games says
It saddens me to know that a policy like this has to be in enforced such a beautiful blog. People can be so ugly.
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