Dear Rockford, I Can’t Keep My Mouth Closed Any Longer. Please Stop Being Unkind.

Dear Rockford,

Most of us are over the events of the past few months (or lack of). Emotions are high, mental struggles are more prevalent than ever. Stress, anxiety, depression, chances are you've experienced at least one of these raw emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frankly, we're all on edge and we just want to move on to the new norm, whatever that may be. That's the big mystery, what will the new "normal" entail? I have a suggestion, a few actually.

We know we can come together in times of dire need. Many of us will agree we've taken advantage of our relationships and "the little things" for months, years, decades, etc. It's been happening for way too long. So what needs to happen? Where do we go from here? There's no debate, the new norm needs to be filled with love and kindness because it looks like there's a lack of it.

Most of the unkindness is centered around money, looks, social status, social media status, and politics. When it comes down to it all of those things are meaningless garbage. Most of the things are also the reason people are unkind to others, not to mention things that can not be controlled - gender, race, and sexuality for the most part. It's sickening. What gives one person the right to judge or mock another? "Well, he was a jerk when I ran into him the store?" Guess what, he (or she) has things going on in their life you might not be aware of. We all do. How about being empathetic? How about flashing a quick smile or a quick "hi" when you encounter a stranger. If you get snubbed, get over it and move it.

I'm so sick and tired of the unkindness that is everywhere. I'm sick of witnessing the language used towards others because they are different. I'm not insinuating you're not allowed to have an opinion, Lord knows I'm very opinionated but guess what? If my opinion isn't going to build someone up or leave them feeling good then I'm not going to dump it on them like a hot cow pie in the middle of a field. That's basically what you're doing with nonsensical slander and harmful words. You're dropping a big stinky load on their spirits. Who are you to do that? What if that happened to you or someone you love? It's no wonder why our world is so jacked up. People need a reason to be nice to one another. I've got a reason - its the right thing to do.

Yes, I'm going off on a tangent, and if you're still reading you either agree or you're fired up and interested in what is coming next. Either way, I love you. I mean it. I have a legitimate love for you. Why? Because you were put here in this exact moment to read this for a reason. Maybe it's for you to not feel alone in feeling down because of the negativity in our world or maybe because you need to know that a complete stranger cares about you simply because you're here and you're alive. Whatever the case may be I hope you finish reading this with positive energy.

I'll leave you with this. I fight anxiety. Sometimes it's a big uphill battle. Yeah, the fun free-spirited radio guy who is seemingly excited and happy all the time struggles with a mental disorder. Anxiety and depression are disorders that are no joke, but with medicine, therapy, and strive to live with love and happiness make up the suit of armor many of us need for daily functioning. Please know, if you struggle mentally you are not alone, my friend. Please seek help if you're struggling, it does not make you weak. Heck, reach out to me if you'd like and I'll help you any way I can.

JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram.