Supporting or Promoting?

After looking at all of the controversial conversations between friends, enemies, frenemies, and the likes, I found myself intrigued by a conversation that I genuinely wanted to know more about. Apparently, someone posted what others deemed to be “controversial” in that it seemingly promoted the opposite of what the poster is all about. Now one might say, just mind your own business, but the people who questioned the “poster” or person who posted the thing in question were actually disturbed because they, like the poster, shared views that really didn’t line up with what was posted, and wouldn’t you know, the post somehow hit their timelines for review. The “poster”, probably feeling attacked because they were being accused of “promoting a different agenda” than what they supposedly live, fired back at those who had something to say about their post with, “there is a difference between supporting and promoting something. The post is simply in support of a friend.” Now, at first glance, one might say, leave them alone and just scroll past their page without comment if you just can’t handle what’s being said; however, on the other, I had to stop and ask myself if there is a difference, what would that difference be. Turns out, in my mind at least, the poster was right! There is a difference between supporting something and promoting it; however, I’m not sure I’d agree with their logic. Here’s why: when we are supporting something or someone, we do it alone and for the one being supported alone. For instance, I might buy your book or product in an effort to support your sales, but it doesn’t mean I have to read it, wear it, or use it, depending upon the perceived use for what’s purchased. The moment I begin to bring others in, tell others about your stuff, I believe I’ve moved from supporting to promoting. You see, to promote, in my mind is to tell others. The moment I raise awareness about something, or as the definition of promoting something suggest, raise that “thing” to a higher rank of noticing, I’m simply promoting that “thing”. I’m not sure what others think about this, and I really don’t care what the “poster” was attempting to do with the post, I just know that when we post things, or “raise awareness” about a thing for others to see, we are no longer only supporting the thing, we are promoting. So the message is simply this, if you want to support something, then do it without involving others. If you’d like to promote it, tell as many people as you can find. Whatever you do, be intentional, and by all means, please be informed. Happy posting!